Netball Samoa

The 22-year-old has been selected in the Samoa national netball side that will be participating at the Oceania Netball Series, which begins tonight at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva.

She plays the position of centre and wing defend.

Taefu said it is a dream come true to don the blue dress.

“It has been my dream to represent my country and family. I want to be the local representation and be an example and role model for young netballers based in Samoa to get them more interested in the team.”

The match between the Polynesian sister teams was a tough showdown after the ladies in red had to come from behind in the second quarter to steal the lead 32-24 since Samoa was leading 17-14 after the first quarter.

Tonga Centre- Hulita Haukinima Veve and Goal Shooter- Uneeq Palavi were the players to watch in last night’s game after assisting the team in extending their lead in the third quarter 50-36.

Samoa was also very competitive from the beginning and throughout the quarters but was enough to keep Tonga from winning the game 69-52.

The series starts tonight with Samoa taking Tonga at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva, Fiji.

Both 19 years of age, Stowers and Oloamanu are currently the youngest players in the squad.

Stowers, who plays the position of Goal Shooter and Goal Keeper, said having to represent the team has made her more proud to be a Samoan.

“I’m proud of being Samoan, it’s where I grew up and my parents are full Samoan descent. It’s a country I take so much pride in.”

The Vaiala native is grateful to her mentor for moulding her into the netball player she has become.

NetGO Samoa Country Coordinator, Tusi Faasootau said they want to share foundation skills so that teachers can deliver quality netball coaching sessions for their respective teams.

“There are other opportunities for participants to engage onto the next stage of coaching and umpire training.”

The schools that have participated in the workshop are Leififi College, Anoamaa College, Lepa Lotofaga College, Aleipata College, Vaimauga College, Palalaua College, Avele College.

The tournament was scheduled to be held in Suva in June, with Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands all set to take part.

However, last week the International Netball Federation (INF) confirmed the World Cup had been delayed because of Covid-19.

Samoa's national head coach Frances Solia was not surprised.

"I guess I was just paying attention with what was happening around the world in terms of the Covid and two months ago I had this gut feeling, I could not see all of these countries coming to Fiji," she said.

Behind the initiative is Chief Executive Officer, Rosemarie Esera and Samoa Netball Development Officer Rita Schwalger.

The Netball Academy which is like a high performance unit for netball, includes more than 140 young girls taking part in skills set and techniques clinics as well as professional character training.

"The national team hasn’t been active and have had no tours as of yet, but that doesn’t stop netball from working in the country," said Schwalger.