Team Western’s netball youngster shines in PNG grassroots games

SIX-footer Daphney Hungabros from Team Western made a rare wave on the netball court during the just-completed 4th PNG Games in Port Moresby.
Though Team Western won bronze, young Hungabros was the heroine for the Kiunga-based netball team.
The daughter of former PNG softball executive Nelson Hungabros, Daphney has served her apprentice very well in her shooting role and have caught the eyes of the national netball selectors.
Daphney was part of the Team Western who won the PNG Netball Federation sanctioned-championship in Manus this year, and was hoping to defend the crown but ended up with bronze.
PNGNF secretary Julianne Leka-Maliaki told The National during the finals that Daphney had a bright future if she sticks with netball.
Netball is a sport that is loved by all women folks in the country, and has been going strong for the last two decades.
Coming from an area where netball is not strong, Daphney has proven that she has all the ingredients to become a netball star.
“She played like a veteran and it was very encouraging to see such players from small centres,” Leka-Maliaki said.
Team Western defeated West New Britain 37-26 to claim bronze while Morobe defended their golden run for the third year running with a four point win over pre-match NCD 30-26.
It was the 100% shooting success by PNG international Nettie Sau that helped her Wopa country women to retain the title.
Tournament director (netball) for PNG Games Pole Kassman summed it up stating that netball was spreading so it was up to the stakeholders, in particularly, the netball federation to get the ball rolling.
“There is a lot of talent in the rural areas,” she said.