As a matter of courtesy to Pacific MMI as the major sponsor of the team, Secretary of the PNG Netball Federation and a member of the panel of selectors, Jullienne Maliaki presented the 15 names to the press.
Three will be non traveling reserves while a squad of twelve will be tasked to represent PNG at the coming Pacific Natball Series. This year the IFNA sanctioned event will be hosted by the Cook Islands and will be held in the first week of June.
"The team is a blend of the old and the new and will blood those coming into the squad at a very high level of competition" Mrs Maliki told the assembled reporters and it will give selectors the opportunity to assess performances that will afford selectors to tweek the squad prior to the Commonwealth Games which is the biggest commitment or undertaking for the PNG Netball for a long time.
"There will be another selection process when the Pepe's return from the Pacific Netball Series at which time a final Pepe's squad will be named for the Commonwealth Games.
(above - seated from left to right) Mrs Pole Kassman - Head Coach Pepes,
Mr Laurens Van Der Gaag - GM Pacfic MMI,
Mrs Julienne Maliaki - Secretary PNG netball Federation
and Mr Mike Petrides, Assistant Coach Pepe's at the Press Conference on Friday.
Pacific MMI General Manager, Laurens Van Der Gaag, in congratulating the team reiterated the PMMI's commitment to netball and looked forward to hearing of the teams successes.
The team as announced is;
Shooters
Maleta Roberts (Aust)
Tiata Baldwin (Aust)
Marie Ottio (POM)
Rhodah Kerea (POM)
MaryPaul Buehler (reserve) (POM)Mid Court
Mona -Lisa Leka (c) (POM)
Yvonne Magutau (Aust)
Richanda Kassman (Aust)
Alu Opina (POM)
Cheryl Renagi (reserve) (Aust)Defenders
Raka Nope (POM)
Winnie Mavara (POM)
Lua Rikis (POM)
Rayleene Andrews (POM)
Jessie Logo (reserve)(POM)Notable omissions to the squad were Nisha Omi in defence and the Raula sisters, Gewa and Ravu.
The squad is expected to immediately go into training in preparation for the June competition. The team will leave for Brisbane at the end of May to meet up with the Australian based players and some led up games while there.
When asked who will be their biggest hurdle, Pole Kassman, Head Coach of the Pepe's commented that "They will all be hard games" as this will be the yard stick as to where the four countries are placed in Oceania netball. "The Pacific Island girls are bigger in stature and compete in New Zealand and Australia's elite level competitions" "But we'll give them a run for their money"
A schedule of the team with images of the individual players will be posted shortly.
Congratulations to the ladies who made the team.
Though our commiserations go to those that didn't make the squad, we know that it isn't the end of the road for the Pepe hopefuls as they will still be traveling as a development squad to compete in the NSW State Championships in Sydney in July this year.
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