The Australian Pathway and Samoa Invitational teams wrapped up their three-match series in Samoa, strengthening talent depth through high-level competition, connecting with local communities through sport and providing emerging Swifts stars Nicola Barge and Sophia Martinussen with valuable International experience in the green and gold.
Delivered in partnership with the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports, the Ocean of Power tour in Samoa was designed to provide international exposure for Australian Pathway athletes, support Netball Samoa’s preparations ahead of key international events, and strengthen netball in Samoa.
Before competition began, both teams were welcomed through a traditional 'Ava ceremony at the Samoan Tourism Association Cultural Centre. Teams wore matching Puletasi, the traditional formal Samoan dress for women.
“To have both teams honour Samoan culture by wearing a Puletasi was incredibly special. What made it even more significant was that the elei (pattern) on the Puletasi was created in collaboration with our Pacific Netball Federations,” Netball Australia Head of Market Development Sallee Caldwell said.
“This was a proud moment that reflected unity, shared pride and strength of our longstanding partnership.
“It was also important the Australian athletes embraced Samoan culture from the outset, and the 'Ava ceremony was a significantly meaningful way to formally mark the beginning of the tour.”
Across the next four days, the teams contested three international matches at the Tuana’imato Sports Complex in Apia, showcasing skill, intensity and determination, with both sides leaving nothing on the court.
Australian Pathways Assistant Coach Michelle Wilkins highlighted the importance of the opportunity.
“Very few of the pathway athletes would have experienced international netball and the different style of play. That’s something you can't recreate at training,” she said.
“The team was surprised at how quickly they connected on court, given they hadn't played together before as a group. It highlighted the value we place on teamwork, understanding yourself, and connecting with others.”
Beyond the on-court experience, the tour challenged athletes to adapt to unfamiliar environments and routines.
“The rigours of travel provide great learnings, waking up in the early hours of the morning, knowing things won’t always go to plan, but you still have to perform,” Pathways Head Coach Anita Keelan AM said.
“It was great for the girls to discover they could still excel on court even though they may not have had their normal game day routine.”
While Australia claimed the series, the results told only part of the story.
For the Samoa Invitational team, the series provided crucial preparation ahead of the upcoming Netball World Cup Oceania Qualifiers in Tonga.
“Winning is always important, but for this Ocean of Power tour, preparation, planting seeds, and ensuring our players were clear on structures and team dynamics has been essential,” Samoa Tifa Moana Head Coach Natalie Mathews said.
“Building connection between our athletes and getting three significant matches at full international minutes has been a huge preparation platform for us.”
Goal shooter Auteletoa Tanimo, who has represented Samoa Tifa Moana since 2014, said the tour had been invaluable.
“The team culture, learning a lot from each other, getting feedback from coaches to build on our own individual play and how to connect as a team. It’s been a huge help to be here,” Tanimo said.
With family from Pata, Falelatai and Samalaeulu in Savai’i, representing Samoa means far more than just competition.
“When you come to Samoa to play, it feels like putting on your heart. It’s not just about putting on the dress; it’s about the history and sacrifices that come with it,” she said.
The impact of the tour extended well beyond the three matches.
“Anything that comes back to the motherland is always going to be grounding, which serves a purpose of rebuilding our team culture,” Netball Samoa CEO Justine Wilson-Ata said.
“For players to come back here and reconnect, it’s reiterated why they play for Samoa and want to represent their nation.”
Alongside the matchplay, the tour helped build capacity across Netball Samoa through umpire education and training, with four new C Badge umpires accredited and additional development delivered for bench officials.
“Because we’ve already made progress in the umpire development space, this has created growing interest, so this tour was a great opportunity to continue showing there are pathways within netball broader than playing,” Wilson-Ata said.
“Building capacity leads to long-term sustainability of a sport. This can range from developing umpires and bench officials or supporting schoolteachers’ understanding of how to facilitate training and teach children netball.
“That’s true sustainability.”
Following the series, the Australian and Samoan teams delivered clinics at local schools, leading activities focused on hand-eye coordination, teamwork, communication and netball fundamentals.
“For you to really grow a sport in a country, that has to be done at a community level. It was great to bring these players to the schools to inspire students and get them engaged in netball, but also for the athletes to experience the joy sport brings to children in Samoa,” Wilson-Ata said.
Thunderbirds training partner Lucy Voyvodic, captain of the Australian Pathway team for the tour, said the school visits were among the biggest highlights.
“The kids’ energy and excitement to have us there was so heartwarming, and it reminded all of us why we love this game,” she said.
Athletes returned home with far more than international match experience.
“The different style of netball over here really challenged us, and it’s been so special coming together as a team considering a lot of us hadn’t played together before,” Voyvodic said.
“We’ve grown so much, both as players and as people, and getting to experience Samoan culture along the way made it even more meaningful.”
The Ocean of Power tour proved a great success, providing both teams with valuable international matchplay experience, capacity-building opportunities and meaningful cultural engagement. It highlighted the power of netball to connect communities, inspire future generations and strengthen relationships across the Pacific, while giving emerging Australian talents such as Nicola Barge and Sophia Martinussen an important opportunity to continue their development on the international stage.
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy program that provides Pacific athletes, officials and administrators access to high-performance training and elite competition. Through partnerships with Australian national sporting organisations, including Netball Australia, the program aims to strengthen relationships across the Pacific through sport.
