REPRESENTING their native Tonga, 22 young Sunraysia women travelled down to Melbourne on Saturday to participate in the 2023 Netball Pacific Cup.
Now in its eleventh year, the nine team state competition gives girls the opportunity to showcase their talent while embracing diversity.
A predominantly metropolitan competition this year, both the under 15 and 17 Tongan squads enter the Cup as the only rural teams.
Team organiser Mez Kirrirua said it had been an unorthodox path to gaining eligibility for the teams to play.
“I went and took my daughter down for the tryouts for the Pacific Cup and they were short on numbers … so I put it forward to the committee to see if we could make up a team from the country,” she said.
After formalities were completed, both teams were given the green light to play.
Selu Burton, a proud mother whose three daughters will compete, said it was the first time all of the Sunraysia girls would take part in the event.
“They’re very excited and they’re so proud to represent their country,” she said.
“It’s an event that showcases the talent of the Pacific Island girls and it really encourages girls to partake in a competition like this.”
Given all games are to be played on Saturday, the format has been shortened to seven minute halves.
While easier to manage, it will undoubtedly be an action packed day for the girls who also have to travel significantly further than the other teams who are based in or near Melbourne.
“Our final game is at 2 o’clock so it’ll be a busy day of netball, and then if we perform well there will be finals too,” Burton said.
