Strapping ankles, meeting icons and learning the value of a rest day – the recently completed PacificAus Sports camp in Queensland has left a lasting impression on a group of young netballers and coaches.
The group of nine athletes and seven coaches from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea spent nine days in Brisbane earlier this month as part of the Netball Queensland partnership in place with Netball Australia, with thanks to the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading.
As well as the classroom and on-court benefits of the camp, the group formed close connections and shared cultural experiences which left a tight bond evidenced by their performance as an invitational team in the 18U competition at the Nissan State Titles.
A flag, representing “Our Ocean is what connects us as ONE – Team Pasifika”, was proudly displayed at each of the matches the team played at the State Titles.
Fiji’s Elina Drikibau emphasised the connections she’d made during the camp as the biggest legacy she’ll take with her back home.
“During the camp, first was getting to meet my new friends and especially building our friendship,” Drikibau said.
“We also met some netball icons and professional specialist coaches such as Hulita Veve, Nora Misa and Simone Nalatu, Paula Stuart, Jo Morgan and a few others.
“As well we saw the Diamonds team training during the State Titles.”
It wasn’t just players learning from the camp as well with exposure to high performance lessons opening the eyes of coaching staff.
“The biggest learning and most interesting session was the load management presentation from Netball Queensland High Performance General Manager Brynley Abad,” Samoa’s Joanne Ioane Iosefo said.
“I phoned my team back in Samoa and told them they need to have a rest day!”
The camp isn’t the final opportunity for Pacific netballers in Australia this year with the PacificAus Sports Netball Series’ second event to be held on the Sunshine Coast from October 16 to 21.
Drikibau will be among the athletes taking part in the tournament having been selected in the Fiji Pearls squad, while the Papua New Guinea Pepes, Samoa Tifa Moana and Tonga Tala will all return after competing in the inaugural series in March.
