30 Jul 2021

Amorangi Malesala: South Auckland is where my love for netball began

9:54 am on 30 July 2021

New Zealand has produced some strong Pacific netballers in the shooting circle, such as Maria Folau and Cathrine Tuivaiti.

Hoping to follow in that tradition is 23-year-old Amorangi Tapa'au Malesala, who plays goal attack and goal shoot for the Robinhood Stars based in South Auckland.

Stars Amorangi Malesala in action during the ANZ Premiership netball match between the Tactix and Stars at Christchurch Arena in Christchurch.

Stars Amorangi Malesala in action during the ANZ Premiership netball match between the Tactix and Stars at Christchurch Arena in Christchurch. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography Ltd

Malesala is of Samoan and Māori descent and she proudly waves both flags wherever she goes.

Her netball journey started at Te Kura Māori o Nga Tapuwae, a Māori school in Māngere, South Auckland.

Malesala said at the time there was no netball team, so her mother, who was interested in starting a netball team, got it going.

"I was around five or six years old when I started playing with my mum as a coach.

"We played at the netball courts in Manurewa, so I have fond memories there, which is where I grew up in," she said.

During Malesala's school years, her starting position on the court was goal keep, due to her height.

She said she was usually the tallest girl in the team, and it was not until intermediate school when she decided to go to the shooting end of the court.

"I started off as a goal shooter in year 7 because, again, I was one of the taller girls.

"It was not until I got into the older age groups, I realised I wasn't as tall as some of the other shooters, so I had to have a think about going up to goal attack, which is what I currently play now and I really enjoy it."

Stars Amorangi Malesala in action during the ANZ Premiership netball match between the Stars and Pulse played at Pulman Arena in Auckland.

Stars Amorangi Malesala in action during the ANZ Premiership netball match between the Stars and Pulse played at Pulman Arena in Auckland. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography Ltd

Malesala's professional career started down in Hamilton representing the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.

She explained that it was a funny encounter as to how that conversation began to play for Magic and it emerged when she was watching her former high school, St Kentigern College premier netball team playing at the Upper North Islands Tournament.

"I was on the side line and the late Margaret Forsyth approached me and gave me the opportunity to play for Magic.

"She said, would you consider coming down to Magic as we don't have many shooters here and I was 18-year-olds, so of course I consulted with my mum to see what she thought?

"Mum and dad were happy with the opportunity, so I moved to Hamilton from 2017-2018 and after that, I decided to make the move to Sydney to develop my skills in netball, so I had a little stint with the New South Wales Swifts.

"To now play for the Stars, I've come full circle in my career, returning to the heart of South Auckland, a place where my love for netball began," she said.

Stars Amorangi Malesala in action during the ANZ Premiership netball match between the Stars and Pulse played at Pulman Arena in Auckland.

Stars Amorangi Malesala in action during the ANZ Premiership netball match between the Stars and Pulse played at Pulman Arena in Auckland. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography Ltd

Malesala remembers as a young girl attending some of the National Bank Cup games and seeing experienced players such as Anna Harrison (née Scarlett) who she admired growing up.

"I now play alongside [Anna] and it is such a privilege because she is such a great person," she said.

"As a shooter, I looked up to players like Maria Folau and Cathrine Tuivaiti - Cat is a standout for me because she's one of those shooters that's so clever with the ball and I try and imitate how she plays sometimes.

"When I was with the Magic, a player I was starstruck to meet, but again, privileged to play alongside was Casey Kopua.

"She's not only an awesome defender, she's also a great leader - it's crazy how you cross paths with some of your idols," she said.