When Salote Sisifa took the role of CEO for Tonga Netball in 2014, the organization possessed no infrastructure, coaching staff, or resources. Despite these humble beginnings, the team has ascended to an eighth-place world ranking, positioning themselves ahead of established programs like Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This Saturday, Tonga enters its inaugural Commonwealth Games netball tournament in Glasgow against Australia. The journey to this milestone required navigating severe challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and a catastrophic 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami. Through it all, Sisifa and head coach Jaqua Pori-Makea-Simpson persevered to build a competitive national side.
Sisifa initially aimed to reach the top 10 within five years, a goal that struck many as impossible given their initial losses at the 2015 Pacific Games. To build a roster, they recruited players with Tongan heritage from abroad. This included convincing star shooter Uneeq Palavi to join by enlisting her grandmother to help with recruitment. While their pathway team still relies on bank car parks for training, the senior squad, known as the Tala, successfully reached the 2023 Netball World Cup.
Coach Pori-Makea-Simpson emphasizes that the team’s strength lies in a deep cultural and spiritual connection rather than simple camaraderie. This bond has fostered a sense of national pride that transcends final scores. As the team prepares for the Commonwealth Games, their journey stands as a testament to strategic leadership and resilience in the face of environmental and logistical adversity.
