Pepes to hold trials

By SULI SULI
THE national netball squad went through a second phase of high performance testing yesterday ahead of selection trials this weekend at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
The Port Moresby-based camp will stage its trials from July 1-2 at the SJGS indoor complex where the wider squad will be trimmed down in preparation for the Nations Cup in Singapore before a final team is announced for the Pacific Games which in November.
The larger contingent comprises of the squad that participated in the Pacific Series in Gold Coast, Australia, as well as recalled former Pepes players and the injection of several youngsters from the Port Moresby Netball Association.
Notable former reps brought back to the elite sqaud include Tau Galewa and Japeth Tulapi to boost the squad along with regulars Lesieli Taviri, Shannaz Apelis, Jacklyn Lahari and Neritha Adula.
“Every three months the team comes in for testing and this is the second phase in lead up to Pacific Games,” Team PNG netball manager Dianne Lahari told The National yesterday.
“For those new inclusions in the longer list, this is their first HP test. The Moresby-based girls will take part in the selection trials on Saturday and Sunday at Sir John Guise Stadium.
“We expect to see the squad reduced after the trials. Following week the Brisbane-based group will stage their trials.
“It’s great to have some experienced players back in the team to work with the young ones and we’ll see how this group of women progress.”
Both camps will have separate trials and the POM group is anticipated to compete hard for spots in the team that will travel to the Singapore series in October.
With the announcement of new head coach Annie Iamo, taking on coaching duties from Gimanama Crowdy, Netball PNG is hoping to see some fruitful outcomes after a poor 2022 campaign in international tournaments and the Pacific series in April.