PNG Pepes

Twenty-four players’ were trialed out to get selected for the 15 spots to represent PNG in the upcoming Singapore Series and Pacific Games.

With an aim of making a successful tour in the forthcoming international meets, the PNG Pepes selectors; Pepes Head Coach, Annie Iamo, Assistance Coach, Helen Edwards and Julienne Leka-Maliaki are aiming to pick the best team.

The two teams had a friendly meet and greet, which allowed them to build a sense of camaraderie ahead of their upcoming matches.

The Pepes are in Australia for the 2023 fixture of PacificAus Sports Netball Series. They face Samoa in their first match later this afternoon.

The Pepes had their first training session with Stacey Marinkovich, coach of the Australian Diamonds. This was an exciting opportunity to train in the presence of an experienced coach.

The results:

Cook Islands def. Papua New Guinea 54-51.

Samoa def. Papua New Guinea 52-41.

Papua New Guinea def. Tonga 64-56.

Fiji def. Papua New Guinea 55 – 34.

The Pepes have completed all their games and have the bye today. The final matches from today will determine where they finish at the Qualifier.

After two losses, the Pepes finally managed to register their first win yesterday, overcoming Tonga 64-56.

But with only the top two to advance to next year’s World Cup, the third placed Pepes will need to beat Fiji convincingly and then bank on other results from today and tomorrow to go their way.

After day three yesterday, the current standings:

Fiji (4), Samoa (4), PNG (2), Cook Islands (2), Tonga (0).

The showdown with Fiji will get underway at 7pm (5pm PNG time).

In their opening match on Tuesday, the Pepes pushed Cook Islands all the way and by half-time were only trailing by two points.

But time ran out for the Pepes with the Cooks clinging on to win 54-51.

Yesterday’s encounter against hot favourites Samoa was always going to be a tough ask and despite a late fight back, the Samoans proved the better side with a 52-41 score line to remain unbeaten.

Day three will see the Pepes take on Tonga at 7pm (5pm PNG time) tonight, while Fiji will play Cook Islands.

The Richanda-Leigh Kassman coached team leaves this weekend for the tournament that will run from April 17-22.

The Pepes will be up against other Pacific island countries including Samoa, Fij, Cook Islands and Tonga in their quest for a place in the 16-team 2019 World Cup.

The PNG Pepes:

The squad:

1. Jeperth Tulapi
2. Rayleen Andrew
3. Boio Peter
4. Nancy Alu
5. Tiata Ovia
6. Nerrie Adula
7. Mary Ellen Bonser
8. Jacklyn Lahari
9. Mayleen Nona
10. Kimberley Alex
11. Serena Ovia
12. Nancy Beaso
13. Hannah Borreto
14. Julianne Diro
15. Ravusiro Vali

The squad will be further trimmed down to 12 players before the team leaves for New Zealand in their quest for a place in the 16-team 2019 World Cup.

The Qualifier will run from April 17-22.

This is in preparation for next month's Netball World Cup 2019 Regional Qualifier- Oceania in New Zealand.

"Training has been going really well for the last four weeks," said In-Country coach, Richanda Kassman.

"Towards the end of March, it will be cut down to the final 12 players."

The Pepes will be up against other Pacific island countries including Samoa, Fij, Cook Islands and Tonga.

"It's an exciting time for our girls. This tournament will be a challenging one but our girls will be ready."

48 players ranging from ages 14 and up took part in the two days the trials were run at the Rita Flynn courts, Port Moresby.

Mentor, Christine Carswell said from the 48 players, between 20-25 players will be selected. This will further be trimmed down to the final 15 after another training camp in February.

“This will be for the Netball World Cup qualifiers that will be held in April of this year. We have to finish first or second to secure a spot in the 2019 Netball World Cup that will be held in the United Kingdom.”