Senior netball comp tips off today in Lae

By JACK AMI
THE Newcrest National Netball Championships senior division competition battle it out at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae today.
The senior competition will be used select a training squad for the 2019 international calendar of matches.
Powerhouses Port Moresby and Lae associations are expected to figure in the finals while the likes of Kairuku Hiri, Alotau, Motu Koita West and Rigo are expected to be the next best performers.
All eyes will be in the A grade with reigning champions Port Moresby starting as favourites followed by hosts Lae.
Port Moresby has always dominated the national championships with their side always featuring the best players (national represetatives) in the country.
But despite not fielding as formidable a line-up as in previous years, Port Moresby is expected to be set the pace.
POMNA coach Richanda Kassman said from Lae yesterday that the regular Pepes were excluded to give the next generation in Jephert Tulapi, Boio Peter and Genevie Ume to lead the team that features exciting youngsters in Eva Aua, Mary Leka, Isabel Roakeina, Priscilla Kapi and Waisa Andrew.
“We’ve been dominant for so long but we’ve chosen to give our younger stars a chance to win a title on their own,” Kassman said.
“We’re expecting Lae and the Southern region teams to push us hard.”