Trifai hailed for winning gold at Pan Pacific Masters Games

By ERIC PIET
THE Papua New Guinea Public Servants Netball Association’s Trifai team won gold at the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, earlier this month.
Trifai competed in the 35-year age category, according to player Ralai Benedict.
Association president Rawa Stoi said Trifai had a mixture of players both experienced and new, which helped them win gold. “We had some experienced Port Moresby Netball Association and Pepes players in the likes Ralai Rawali, Gewa Raula and Tania Maha,” Stoi said.
She said despite finishing fourth in the regular rounds, they qualified for the playoffs.
Australia’s Angry Birds and Red Dirt Warriors finished first and second respectively, and New Zealand’s Manunui secured third.
“The first-placed team played fourth and second faced third,” Stoi said.
“The winners of the semifinals played for gold and the losers played for bronze.
“So our semifinal was against the Angry Birds where we defeated them 44-41, hence booking our spot in the grand final.
“In the grand final, we took on the Red Dirt Warriors — the winners of the other semifinal — and we beat them 30-28 to take out the gold medal,” Stoi said.
Stoi said that the association had sent about 100 women to compete in the tournament.
They included women from six age categories — 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55.
Stoi said three out of the six teams made it to the finals, but only Trifai won a medal.
“As the coach of the team, I would like to congratulate the players for putting in a tremendous effort to win gold,” Stoi said.
“We started training since April, and we raised funds to compete in the tournament.
“The win ensures that our efforts have not gone to waste.”
On behalf of the six teams, Stoi thanked their sponsors, employers, friends and families for their support.
The next games will be in 2020 in Australia.