The PNG Under 21 Netball Team, the Junior Pepe’s will be departing in just over a week, to participate in the World Youth Junior Championship Qualifiers in Auckland, New Zealand.
With the Assistance of Senior National Team coach, Unaisi Rokoura, the team is hoping to be one of the three countries in the region, to qualify to the world cup in Botswana in 2017.
Hosts New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga as well as Papua New Guinea will all be fighting for one of three spots for 2017s Youth World Cup.
In late July, Papua New Guinea had had a very narrow 47-46 win over Singapore’s junior side, and while it had appeared that the home side, had physically dominated their more experienced opponents, the side was still relatively new as a team.
PNG Pepe’s Head Coach, Rokoura, believes nonetheless that that experience gained proved a valuable lesson, considering the quality of the opposition they expect to face.
Shooter Japhert Tulapi, and Goal Attack, Serena Abigail Ovia will provide a boost of international experience. Both women are part of the current senior national team set up, as well as Centre Courtney Abel, who will be joining the squad soon, and their presence will steady this young side.
The finalised team will be announced over the coming days with the team travelling a day before the competition commences, next weekend.
