One court, one family: Pacific netball takes centre stage in Brisbane

The PacificAus Sports Netball Series has once again delivered world-class netball action, uniting teams from across the Pacific and beyond in a competition that showcased skill, resilience, and cultural pride. Hosted in Brisbane in February, the series was a vibrant display of talent and camaraderie in the spirit of the event’s theme, ‘One Court—One Family’.

Netball history in the making

The series welcomed six formidable teams: the Fiji Pearls, the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Pepes, the Samoa Tifa Moana, the reigning four-time champions, the Tonga Tala, the Australian First Nations Black Swans, and, for the first time, the Scottish Thistles.

For the Thistles, the tournament was a rare chance to compete against the emerging stars of Pacific netball.

“The Series has been hugely popular in the Southern Hemisphere in recent years and for the Thistles to have had the opportunity to see, learn and grow from the event has been fantastic,” said Kath Tetley, Head Coach of the Scottish team. "Recent Pacific matches have been fierce and hard-fought, with creativity and flair, so it is a great challenge for us to be sharp, alert and reactive to the variables in front of us.”

After making their debut at the 2024 series, the Australian First Nations Black Swans returned with a renewed sense of purpose. They proved their strength, securing hard-fought victories over the PNG Pepes and Tonga Tala. For Head Coach Ali Tucker-Munro, however, success extended beyond the scoreboard. The series provided First Nations athletes with experiences that would help them thrive in a high-performance environment, while embracing the power of their cultural identity.

First Nations Engagement Manager Beryl Friday highlighted the broader significance of the team’s journey.

"It has given us the chance to introduce new players to a culturally safe, high-performance environment," said First Nations Engagement Manager, Beryl Friday. "Off court, it's a chance to grow and learn from each other as First Nations women, and continue to build leadership skills that we can take back to our communities."

A grand final for the ages

In an unforgettable grand final, Samoa Tifa Moana and tournament debutantes, the Scottish Thistles, battled it out in a 75-minute marathon match, pushing both teams to their limits. With scores tied at 44–44 at full-time, the game extended into extra time, with Samoa edging past their rivals to claim their inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Series title.

At the heart of Samoa’s triumph was Jessica Laga’aia, the athletic mid-court player who currently represents the Carina Leagues Club Tigers in Queensland’s HART Sapphire Series. Laga’aia, the eldest daughter of beloved entertainer Jay Laga’aia, was on the court every second of the gruelling match, earning herself the title of Grand Final MVP.

Laga’aia’s on-court dominance was bolstered by the experience of players like Kristiana Manu’a. In her long career, Manu’a has competed in both the Suncorp Super Netball League and the ANZ Premiership, and has represented both Australia and New Zealand internationally—but playing for Samoa with her parents and partner watching on, was something special.

"Representing Samoa in front of my family meant a lot,” she said. “It’s my way of giving back to them, and all the stuff they’ve sacrificed throughout my netball career."

Rising stars and fresh leadership

This year’s tournament also saw the rise of new coaching talent. Natalie Matthews, newly appointed Head Coach of the Samoa Tifa Moana, led her team to a historic victory, emphasising the importance of fostering a strong team culture.

"I’m incredibly proud of what we’re achieving here as a team,” she said in the lead up to the grand final. “When I sit on the bench and see the way the girls are bonding, smiling on court—that’s it for me. That’s why I do this."

Meanwhile, Lua Rikis made her international debut as Head Coach of the Pepes. An 18-year veteran of PNG netball, Rikis has been candid about the challenges facing the Pepes and approached the PacificAus Sports Netball Series as an opportunity to integrate local recruits with the team’s Australian-based players, building a team-first mentality for future success.

“We were clear as a team on what we wanted to achieve at this tournament,” said Rikis. “Our main aim was to maintain consistency and be competitive.”

The next generation of netballers also made their mark, including 16-year-old Bronte Grose of the PNG Pepes, the youngest player in the series.

"There were times I felt like giving up before making my debut with the Pepes, but I just kept believing in myself," Grose said. "I feel so supported by my team."

More than a game

With every game played, every lesson learned, and every connection forged, the PacificAus Sports Netball Series continues to contribute to a stronger, more connected Pacific sporting community.

That spirit was on display from the very beginning, when Elder Aunty Deb Sandy welcomed all teams with a heartfelt Welcome to Country. Later, the Manus Island Dance Group delivered an electrifying performance, honouring traditions from the Kurti Mountains and Bipi Island regions of Papua New Guinea.

As the tournament grows, so too does its impact—strengthening Pacific netball, building global connections, and inspiring future generations.