Ngaputa drafted in

Mariana Ngaputa is one of the new faces in this year’s national netball side taking part in an international tri-series against both Scotland and Wales next month.

Just two-and-a-half weeks of training remains before the girls take to the Telecom Sports Arena (TSA) to the hopeful cry of a jam-packed indoor centre.

In what is a rare opportunity to see quality international netball at home, Cook Islanders are urged to support the team as they look to improve their current ranking of 13th against Wales (10) and Scotland (15).

The series will also give newcomers such as Ngaputa a chance to push for further opportunities in the coming years. She joins Tania Kermode, Nana Manuela, Elena Mataora, Teiva Maui, Alexandria Nicholas, Curly Taripo, Marjorie Toru and Mireille Winchester as the nine Cook Islands-based players in the squad.

Coach Mii Maui will also have the service of two New Zealand-based players – Lenae Tiaiti and Margarette Nena. Tickets are expected to sell incredibly fast for the tournament and will be on sale – weather permitting – at the Punanga Nui market for the next two Saturdays.

The tickets range from $5 per game for one match’s general admission to $40 in the premium zone for all five matches.