Fiji under-21 squad members competing in their trials in Suva. 8 July 2025 Photo: Netball Fiji
Three of the Pasifika teams that will compete at the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 in Gibraltar have announced strong squads for the event.
Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa have all named their squad, with Tonga being the only exception.
Netball Tonga chief executive Salote Sisifa says the team's coaching and management team have yet to finalise and release details of the Junior Tala squad.
The four teams are representing Pasifika at the NWYC 2025, with matches scheduled to roll off on Saturday, 20 September.
Cook Islands are in Pool A along with New Zealand, Gibraltar, Malaysia and Zambia.
Samoa is in Pool B with Australia, Scotland, Singapore and Northern Ireland.
Pool C will feature Tonga against England, Jamaica, Wales and Sri Lanka, while Fiji is in Pool D alongside South Africa, Malawi, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
Round-robin pool games will be held from 20-24 September, with play-offs scheduled for 25 September.
Cook Islands' final team was selected after a series of trials and the selection process involving trials held in Rarotonga in April and a second one recently in Brisbane. Photo: Cook Islands Netball
Two local players for Cook Islands
Netball Cook Islands confirmed last weekend that only two local players are part of their 12-player squad.
Rarotonga-based players Mere-Jean Piri and Mahanarei Short are the only local players in the squad, which is dominated by players from Australia.
Cook Islands News reported that the squad will hold a training camp in Auckland before the September tournament.
Two other Rarotonga players Tashi Kopu and Melody Tommy have been named as the non-travelling reserves.
Assistant coach and former national rep Luciana Nicholas said the team is a good mix.
"We're taking to the world and confident that we will do well," she told Cook Islands News.
The final team was selected after a series of trials and Nicholas said the selection process involved trials held in Rarotonga in April and a second one recently in Brisbane, Australia.
Nicholas said that in three weeks' time the team will travel to Auckland for training camp.
She said they would be sorting out some combinations and bonding during the camp from August 13-17.
"In three weeks' time we will be having a camp in Auckland where we will get some combinations going," she said.
"We will start some bonding because this is probably the first time we've been together as a team of 12 with our non-travelling reserves as well."
Nicholas has acknowledged all their supporters who are helping them get to Gibraltar.
Cook Islands will take on hosts Gibraltar on September 20 in their first game, face New Zealand on September 21, have a September 22 clash against Malaysia and tackle Zambia on September 23.
Cook Islands: Tia Crombie (Brisbane), Genesis Foster-Jonassen (Melbourne), Charlize Gable-Joseph (Melbourne), Aaliyah Koteka (Perth), Sierra Lau'ese (Auckland), Mere-Jean Piri (Rarotonga), Charniah Shepherd (Sydney), Mahanarei Short (Rarotonga), Ngahuia Te-Rure (Brisbane), Jazaria Tongotongo (Sydney), Kydan Tuapou (Brisbane), Deja-Maree Waitere-Patterson (Brisbane); Non-travelling reserves: Tashi Kopu (Rarotonga), Merua Matapo (Perth) Melody Tommy (Rarotonga).
Samoa squad members at their final trial in Apia. Photo: Netball Samoa
Passion drives Samoa
Samoa under-21 netball team head coach Paula Stuart said their campaign so far has been driven by passion.
She said, during the squad announcement last week, that their campaign has been long and tough.
"The journey toward the World Youth Cup began two years ago, and qualifying by winning the regional tournament in the Cook Islands is already a massive achievement for Netball Samoa," she said.
"This campaign has been driven by passion, discipline, and national pride."
Stuart said the squad selection were based on player performances as individuals and at trials held.
"These trials were critical in identifying the next wave of talent, and they were made possible by the unwavering support of our Samoan communities across Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand," she said.
"This team reflects not only talent, but the growing legacy of Netball Samoa, a campaign that continues to unite and uplift our community."
Stuart said the support of Netball Samoa, through president Peseta Noumea Simi and chief executive Justine Samu plus the work of team officials made their campaign easier.
Assistant Coach Natalie Mathews, who also leads the national team Tifamoana, said the final camp in Apia was "more than just the final trial and it symbolises growth, connection, and pride".
It was an opportunity for the players to be together as a squad for the first time, with some players being able to be in Samoa for the first time.
"Bringing our girls home, some for the very first time, created a powerful sense of identity and belonging," she said.
"It's not only about who they are as athletes, but who they are as young women, grounded in culture and family.
"Thank you to the Netball Samoa staff for running such a large-scale camp while continuing their daily operations. The care, effort, and heart behind this camp has been truly special."
Samu said they are proud of the squad named and called for more support, especially financially, to assist the team on their trip.
"This marks a significant milestone for our young athletes, who have trialled and trained with dedication and pride to represent Samoa on the world stage," she stated.
"As we prepare for this international journey, we continue to seek sponsorship and support. If your organisation would like to be part of this empowering chapter in Samoan sport, we welcome your partnership.
"Together, let's elevate our youth and showcase the strength of Pacific netball to the world."
A total of 25 players from across Australia, New Zealand and Samoa attended the last trial camp in Apia at the end of June.
Samu said under Stuart and Mathews' leadership the trialists were challenged both physically and mentally.
"The emphasis was not only on individual performance, but also on building team chemistry and preparing for the pressure of international competition," she said.
Samoa takes on Scotland on September 20, Singapore on September 22, Australia on September 23 and Northern Ireland on September 24 in their pool matches.
Samoa: Brooke Marchant, Ciarn MacBride, Julia Tuua Solomona, Kaylee Tamala, Lataanga Holi, Madison Sanele, Mia Swann, Piuti Laban, Tava'e Maria Tatupu, Tianna Apelu, Tynisha Fa'asisila, Unique Pritchard; Travelling Reserves: Amataga Gidlow-Tuilagi, Grace Ioelu, Jenaya Lata; Non-Travelling Reserves: Helen Tietie, Milla Senio, Zyon Ligaliga, Ella McCartney, Anyslee Williamson.
Fiji under-21 squad members competing in their trials in Suva last month. Photo: Netball Fiji
Focus key for Fiji
Baby Pearls head coach Simone Nalatu said keeping their focus is something they will work on.
Nalatu and Netball Fiji announced their squad last week.
The Baby Pearls' final squad was announced in Suva following the competition of a five-day Invitational Tournament last month.
The extended squad faced two overseas teams, which provided the challenge and preparation for them.
The matches also offered the selection panel an opportunity to evaluate players for final team selection.
"I'm very happy we have reached the milestone of announcing the team," she stated.
"This has been almost 18 months in the making.
"I am very happy with our 12 athletes but I'd also like to acknowledge the contribution and commitment of those other 15 athletes who have been part of our squad pushed for selection.
"As we are in the business end of our preparations, we are sharpening our focus to ensure we are as ready as possible for the WYC in September."
Fiji will meet Trinidad and Tobago first up on September 20, have Barbados on September 21, take on Malawi on September 22 and meet South Africa on September 24.
Baby Pearls: Adi Varanisese Vula, Akisi Bolakoro, Anatolia Nuku, Eseta Waqaira, Hana Sotutu, Lydia Tavesivesi, Mereoni Taqiri, Nina Nakula, Shaid Sasalu, Solei Toganivalu, Susana Rasaubale, Vilimaina Kagi; Non-Travelling Reserves: Mykaella Chandra, Seini Naulia, Timaima Jones.
