Oriana Netball Academy loses in friendlies

By Talaia Mika 09 January 2019, 12:00AM

The Under 14s and the Under 16s teams Oriana Netball Academy lost to Aute Pasifika 51-5 and 51-21 yesterday, compelling players and parents to blame the academy for the short notice preparations. 

“In fairness, this whole process is more like an international kind of sport but we feel like the Association or the Academy is to blame for the lack of skills in our girls,” Osana Seiuli Alesana said.

Mrs. Alesana, a supporter of Oriana Netball Academy and a parent with a daughter playing in the team, said the girls needed more guidance from the academy. 

“The parent’s support is always 100 per cent but the girls need more from the academy. The girls have potential but we need more training for them and more to develop their skills,” she added.

One of the players, Vineta Faleaana, also claimed that they needed more time to train.

“We only had two weeks for our trainings and within those two weeks, there were only six days given for our trainings but the usual period for any training is always a month or two,” she said.

Apart from that, Vineta said she appreciated the experience of playing against Aute Pasifika. And while the games were hard, the playing squad learnt a few things. 

Samoa Netball Chief Executive Officer, Rosemarie Esera, said she accepted the feedback and it was not surprising, as the academy only started a year ago while Aute Samoa already had experience. 

“The main purpose for this tournament for the girls is to learn more about the basics, and to have fun with the sisters from Aute Pasifika.

“I want to put up people to realise that the academy just started this year, and in terms of strategic game plans — that will come once they are fit — after they’ve learnt the basic skills. Then they’ll apply the strategies and game plans,” she added.

By Talaia Mika 09 January 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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