PNG Pepes

An open selection trial will be held at the Rita Flynn netball courts on the 20^th and 21^st of this month.

PNG Netball Federation is sending out an important notice to advise players intending to make the cut for the PNG national netball team, Pepes, to turn up for the open trials on the 20^th and 21^st of January, 2018.

The open trials will give national selectors the chance to observe players’ fitness and skills for a possible train on squad to make the team to Auckland for the Netball World Cup Qualifiers 2018.

The trials are set to run from January 20^th to the 21^st at the Rita Flynn netball courts.

Trials will run from 8am to 4pm daily.

Meantime word from Netball PNG is that further information will be circulated shortly via all media outlets.

The 2019 Netball World Cup itself will be held in Liverpool, England.

Pepes’ young side were pushed to the edge by a very physical Tongan netball side.

The gold medal play off in the netball finals at the VAN2017 Pacific Mini Games was between PNG and Tonga – both teams undefeated.

Tonga took on Solomon Islands in their first encounter while PNG took on Vanuatu…this time though, the two nations came out with all guns blazing.

Tonga had the bigger and taller players, causing PNG to trail in the opening quarter 17 goals to 12.

10 teams participated in the fundraiser that included Credit Corporation, PNG Ports, Bank South Pacific and Steamships.

Netball PNG president, Julienne Leka, expressed her thanks for the support shown from the government and corporate sector.

“This is something new that we wanted to try. It’s been a fantastic day and we’re looking to make this an annual event.”

Wing-attack for the PNG Pepes, Jacklyn Lahari, said preparations for the Pacific Mini Games are going well.

“The key objective is to raise funds to support our national netball team’s participation at its forthcoming international commitments, including the 2017 Pacific Mini Games Vanuatu and the World Cup Qualifier in Auckland, New Zealand, scheduled for April 2018,” said Netball PNG president, Julienne Leka.

“We hope you or your good company can support this worthy cause by registering a 4-member team at K1,500/per team.”

Mona-Lisa Leka can be contacted on 7190 7775 for finer details on registration and other relevant information.

The event will be a fundraiser to help send the national mixed and men’s netball team to take part in international competitions.

At the same time, it will be used to showcase that netball is no longer just a sport played by women.

There will be two exhibition matches on the day with the Maleos to take on the All Star Mixed Team followed by the showdown with the Pepes.

The match played at the Rita Flynn courts yesterday was attended by Australian Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove.

The main aim of the partnership is to improve grassroots sports participation; to improve hygiene behaviours alongside access to safe water and sanitation; and the participation and leadership of women and girls.

President, Julienne Leka Maliaki said Netball PNG was grateful for the opportunity to promote this partnership which is fundamental to rural communities.

The six, who are current PNG Pepes players were selected by Netball Singapore to play in the elite domestic competition.

They have all been slotted into teams, with two to one team.

Kilala Owen- Magic Marlins

Shanna Dringo- Magic Marlins

Jacklyn Lahari- Fier Orcas

Tau Iga Galewa- Fier Orcas

Jeperth Tulapi- SRC Barracudas

Marie Ottio- SRC Barracudas

Chair of Netball PNG, Julienne Leka Maliaki expressed her gratitude to Netball Singapore.

The players were encouraged by PNG Pepes team captain Lua Rikis during their farewell today by the High Performance Sport Southern Centre for Excellence. 

Palais depart the country this week to play at two events at Fiji in November.

The 15s team will play against Fiji on November 5 to qualify for the World Cup Qualifier.

The 7s team will participate at the Oceania Sevens Championship from November 11-12 against Fiji, Australia, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tonga and the Solomon Islands.