PNG national netball team name squad

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) national netball team, Pepes, have named their side for Singapore 6 nations series which includes three debutants namely Jeperth Tulapi, Courtney Abel and Kimberly Alex.

PNG Netball Federation (PNGNF) president, Julianne Leka Maliaki, made the announcement yesterday and said the team consisted of youth and experience.

She said the three debutants were part of the World Youth Championships in Glasgow in August and was happy that the high performance training these girls have undergone is paying off. Meanwhile, veterans Lua Mavara Rikis and Rayleene Andrew have made a return to the squad which should be booster for the younger girls.

Maliaki said the federation was building up and preparing for the 2014 Pacific Netball series with the World Cup qualifier in the Cook Islands, the 2015 World Cup in Sydney, the Pacific Games and the Wold Youth Championships in 2017 in Bostwana.

The team players are: Tiata Baldwin, Malete Roberts, Japeth Tulapi, Rayleene Andrew, Winnie Mavara, Kimberly Rawali, Marinama Maha, Nerrie Adula, Kilala Owen, Lua Mavara Rikis, Susan Wellington and Courtney Abel. Meanwhile, the non-travelling reserves are: Albertine Ehari, Richanda Kassman and Margaret Eka.

The Pepes start training tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Rita Flyn courts in Boroko.