Pepe Hopefuls Endure Grueling Selection Process

Selections for the national team were conducted over the weekend in Port Moresby with 27 turning out for the trials including three Australian based players.  Brisbane's Maleta Roberts and Tiata Baldwin had requested exemptions due to their Australian Tier 1 playing committments this weekend. They will still be required to have passed a similar fitness test for their respective clubs and submit relevant medical reports for scrutiny by the selectors if they are to be considered.

It was extremely hot over the last two days but the trialists still went through a required fitness and orientation test at about 7:30 on Saturday morning and then an energy sapping two hours of court time to allow selectors to guage their court skills.

A similar morning awaited the candidates the next day, finishing up around 11:00 am on Sunday.

(above) Fitness Tests - Saturday Morning

 

(above) The Candidates

The squad was not been named over the weekend pending receipt of several outstanding reports.  An announcement is likely to occur over the next few days.


In February this year, 43 were named as candidates for selection.  Trialing over 30 over the weekend was a decent showing given the difficulties for travel from other provinces.  Port Moresby based nominees have had the advantage of training since late February under the watchful gaze of Pole Kassman and Mike Petrides, but each regional candidate was given a training regime in February that would keep them in trim shape until last weekends selection trials.



There is a silver lining to this year's selection process as those that do not make the final Pepe's squad will be elegible to be part of a development squad which will contest the NSW State Championships this year and basically be Pepe's in waiting.  The Development Squad concept is designed to retain the interest of players and providing depth to the talent pool of senior level netballers in the country.

The NSW State Championships are expected to occur mid year.

(above series) court time for the candidates

The tests were conducted under the specifications set out by the PNG Sports Federation.  Ani Iamo as chairman of selectors saw to it that each test was conducted correctly and within the internationally accepted standards.

(above) The Selectors

There are five on the panel of selectors;

Ani Iamo - Chairman of Selectors,
Iamo Launa - Selector,
Pole Kassman - Head Coach PNG
Julienne Maliaki - Selector
Emily Taule - Alternate for Samoa Waea (Lae)


The following are some of the happy moments from the trials.

(above) some of the faces at the trials including one 

of a hungry coach.

Good luck to all the girls.

The above images and a few more will be placed in a gallery album of their own for those that want to browse through them.