Netball: NZ's Pasifika Stars Teuila wins Sāmoa showdown

The Pasifika Stars Teuila from New Zealand concluded their tour in Sāmoa with an exciting 21-17 victory against the local team, United Soulz, in the final match on Saturday.

Both teams displayed their skills and determination during the Under-18 final of the three-day International Netball Festival.

In an interview with the Sāmoa Observer, Teuila team captains Grace Tutaia and Tereka Solomona agreed that their last game was the toughest of the tournament, but they were thrilled with the win.

"The most challenging part was the last-minute stress and the nerves from all the girls, but we went on the court, and we left that all behind," Solomona says.

"It's way different from us, but it was a good experience for us New Zealanders to come and verse against Sāmoan teams. This was a great experience for our team and all the teams that participated. Honestly, (United Soulz) were the most challenging team, they are an excellent team," she says.

Tutaia says, "It was a tough game, but we got there. It was a bit stressful on court and off court. They were pretty good and put up a good challenge for our team."

Elisabeth Pauga, captain of United Soulz, echoed her opponents' sentiments and is keen to apply what she learned in future tournaments.

"It was a really good game for everyone, because it gives us an insight into the overseas players, because it's always the same girls that we play against here. So, it's nice to see some different faces and play against a different group of girls trained differently from us. They were very good and amazing. There was so much passion on the court, it was nice to see because we are all here for the love of netball.

"Throughout this three-day tournament, we've been playing hard and giving it our all. As a captain, for our last game, I just told my team to empty their tanks, it's our last and final game, and of course, have fun.

Sayonara Alalatoa wins possession for United Soulz against Pasifika Stars Teuila. Photo/Samoa Observer/Junior S. Ami

"We have built relationships through this sport as well. Every team had their skills and a different mix of players, but overall, I feel like the New Zealand team gave us a good challenge. Every game we played gave us insights on what we need to do for the next one."

Jane Rushton, founder of the tournament, says this is the first International Netball Festival held in Sāmoa, aimed at uniting cultures and communities through the sport.

"We've run one in Fiji, New Zealand, and the Gold Coast in Australia. It keeps the girls in sports and off social media. We have competitive and development teams that come and play," Rushton says.

She praised the local teams, saying, "They were fabulous, Sāmoa teams all got to the finals, and the travelling teams. It was a good combination. We were very impressed, especially with the school teams. We want to come back."

The Sāmoa Tifa won the recent PacificAus Sports Netball Series in Brisbane, defeating the Scottish Thistles in the final. Netball Australia hosted the tournament, which the Australian government funded through its PacificAus Sports programme.

Teams from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, four-time champions Tonga, and an invitational Australian First Nations side also participated.