Mere-Jean Piri is set to make her Cook Islands debut as the youngest player on the national team looks forward to the Nations Cup challenge in Singapore.

As the Netball Cook Islands (NCI) team heads to the MIRXES Nations Cup in Singapore, one player is particularly excited to make her country proud – 16-year-old Mere-Jean Piri.

Piri, who is the youngest player on the Cook Islands team, started playing netball at the age of five for Tupapa in the U8 division. She has been playing for her club ever since.

“This will be my first time representing the Cook Islands internationally, and I am super excited and overwhelmed to be given this opportunity to experience what it is like to represent my country and showcase the commitment and dedication our team has given for this journey of netball,” Piri told Cook Islands News.

“I am also very thankful and blessed to be part of this team that has many beautiful people with such passion for netball.”

Piri said that she has managed to gain new skills in this journey, which have improved her court play.

She is also looking forward to the Pacific Games 2023 in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

“In the tournaments I will be attending, I am hoping to gain more knowledge of the game from players of different countries, to better myself and to also share with more upcoming netball players,” Piri said.

“This is also an opportunity for the national team to develop more upcoming youngsters who have the passion and drive to play netball for the Cooks.”

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Piri grew up in a sporting and cultural family, and it was normal for them to join a lot of sporting codes and cultural events.

“But netball is a sport that I’ve loved since I first watched my sister play, and watching how passionate she was inspired me to play netball,” Piri said.

“I’ve always admired watching my sister (Anania Piri) play because she was a beast on the court, she always worked extra hard for the ball, and she always pushed her limits. She’s also a very humble person, and that is why I have always looked up to her growing up.”

Piri thanked her parents, siblings, families, friends, and all of Tupapa Mararerenga for their unwavering love and support.

“My journey would not have begun without these beautiful people by my side,” Piri said. “Also, thank you to the sponsors – your donations are very much appreciated. To my parents and siblings who have been there since day one, there are no words to describe how grateful I am.”

Meanwhile, the netball team has touched down in Singapore in high spirits, Netball Cook Islands secretary Tekura Moekaa said.

Moekaa said the team is gearing up for an exciting series of matches, starting tomorrow, October 22, at 1am (Cook Islands time), against Singapore A.

The team went straight into their first training session in Singapore upon arrival and then took some much-needed downtime, allowing their bodies and minds to recuperate before the games commence, she said.

The Cook Islands netball team would like to express heartfelt gratitude to their families and the supportive community back home. The love, prayers, and encouragement have served as a source of strength, propelling them forward. With their support behind them, the team feels invigorated and ready to showcase their talent on the international stage.

Games will be broadcast live on the Singapore Netball Facebook page.