U21 netball squad leave for high performance camp

THE Papua New Guinea Under-21 netball train-on squad departed for Gold Coast yesterday for a high performance training camp.
Headed by coaches Oti Lasigavibau and Renagi Mulina, the team have been in training for months in preparation for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup qualification set for September in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
The team will train under two overseas coaches Richanda Kassman and Kelly Hynes in Gold Coast. The camp was made possible through the PacificAus Sports Programme with support from Netball Australia.
Head coach Lasagavibau said she was very thankful for the opportunity to lead the team over the past 10-months.
The training camp will help the team gain exposure on high performance training and competitive game experience in preparation for their regional qualifiers.
PNG along with teams from other Pacific Islands will convene in Rarotonga from Sept 16-21 for the regional qualifier, for a spot to the United Kingdom for the Netball WYC next year.
The youth tournament showcases the world’s top 20 teams aged 21 and under, and if PNG qualify for this important pathway event, they will head to Gibraltar along with reigning champions New Zealand and Fiji, who have prequalified for the youth cup. Three other Oceania countries are eligible to compete in the youth world cup next year apart from back-to-back winners New Zealand and Fiji, who have already secured their spots on the international stage.
The Netball World Youth Cup will be the first event to take place since 2017 after the 2021 championships scheduled in Fiji was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.