Ian
Joined: 04 Feb 2007
Posts: 34037
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 Posted:
Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:36 pm |
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http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.php?view=article&id=18182%3Anetballs-2010-&option=com_content&Itemid=54
Netball’s 2010 challenge
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 14:19
2010 is shaping up to be the busiest for Samoa netballers and administrators. With the challenge in hand, it’s noticeable Linda Vagana together with executives Mata Tauatagaloa, Louise Mataia and Beverley Barlow have extra springs in their netball steps as they announced a young virtually untried national squad for the arduous season ahead.
But behind the netballing prowess on the court is an amateur sport most popular amongst women with no income for representative players. The prize is the privilege of representing the country.
With that come a host of challenges for many young Samoan women wanting to represent their country. According to national coach Linda Vagana, “The real challenge for netball is your being a woman.
For a young Samoan girl once you leave High school or gained a scholarship there are few choices to be made which men don’t usually have to do.
Women have to make the choice to play competitive netball or go for their career or simply look after or raise a family. It’s a tougher ask when netball doesn’t pay as for example, rugby will for those with the talent.”
One member of the squad is Monique Vaai. A national netball player at 21 she had to give up rep honours to focus on her scholarship. With a Bachelor of Commerce safely tucked away and currently in her final year of a second degree in Law, she makes a return 5-years later. “For me it’s personal. I’m a patriotic Samoan and I’m at a stage in my life where I can make that commitment.
To do this is something that comes from within. It’s not for money, for image because any athlete that want to play for their country will do it for the country rather than for money, I mean that’s how I see it.”
One of the youngest member of the squad is Sydney based Alyce Solaese who hails from the village of Faatoia. Training at University to be a Physical Education teacher, she wanted to push her netball up another level. “Halfway through last year I thought about it and then my dad really pushed me to come and here I am.” Alyce is looking forward to make the most of the opportunity and if she makes the squad is looking forward to wearing the national dress with pride.
One public murmur that gets Vice President Mata Tuatagaloa’s back up is, ‘How come there’s only a few number of local girls in the team. Why bother when they pick overseas girls anyway?’ Firstly says Mata, “To make the Samoa national team you have to come here to trial.
This is a Samoan national team and this is Samoa, simple as that. So the overseas girls show their commitment by paying their own fares to be here, and there’s no re-imbursements if they get selected”, says Mata Tuatagaloa.
“Since the trials are here, any local girl has the opportunity to participate but there’s this local mentality that says, I only need to train for a week or so and she’ll be right. And they wonder why they don’t get selected. At camps the girls get no allowance or match payments.
The Association only pays for accommodation, meals and transportation otherwise a Samoa national netball player’s prize is the privilege of representing the country.”
Coach Vagana added the local scene competition is not really at a level to give girls coming through high schools and club play enough competitive edge when trialing against the overseas girls.
And that’s the crux of it says Mata Tuatagaloa, “We select players based on merit simple as that. And no matter where a girls is based, it they have the heart and guts to come and trial then they’re Samoan.
That’s the attitude of the Samoa Netball Association.”
The 2010 program has a new innovation included, Manu Samoa head trainer, Mr Dave Edgar. Coach Vagana says having someone of Dave’s calibre offering his time to conduct base fitness levels for the girl is a huge coup for netball. Because netball doesn’t have a fitness trainer, getting Dave’s rugby bosses to test and monitor the girls when they camp will be a massive benefit netball has never experienced before.
For Mr Edgar there’s extra incentive in budding up with the netballers. He’s keen to combine his work with Manu 7s team with the Commonwealth Games coming up where both teams will compete. He can see how both camps can max on his services and reducing costs by doing both. For the trials, “I was asked to do base fitness tests. So we did a batch of tests to get some baseline numbers on their fitness, speed, power, jump, flexibility which will come in handy when we test them in future camps.”
Netball must grow in the community to continue its progress and as more people play the sport a higher level of competition will ensue by default. Says Linda is a community based recreational activity.
If people are attracted to play netball as an entertainment package then as it grows there will be more girls in a pool that could lead to the elite level. By working together with the Ministry of Sports and the Oceania Sports Education Program there will be good traction for wider community participation in netball.
Training squad
Malu Faasavalu, Shirin Chang, Philippa Matatia, Krystle Mulipola, Grete Nuralli, Sose Tavae, Alyce Solaese, Agnes Masoe, Italia Tipelu, Sanonu Robertson, Lesley Simone, Lee Edwards, Charisma Tuupo, Monique Vaai, Tafaoga Tavae.
The Samoa Netball Association will select players from the 2010 Training Squad to represent Samoa in the three (3) international events of 2010.
Tournament
01-05 June Pacific Netball Series, Cook Islands
24-26 June South Africa Tour of Samoa
03-14 October Commonwealth Games, Delhi, India
http://www.samoaobserver.ws/index.php?view=article&id=18182%3Anetballs-2010-&option=com_content&Itemid=54 |
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