The Netball Cook Islands (NCI) team will depart Rarotonga for Singapore tomorrow for the MIRXES Nations Cup.

After weeks of vigorous training and participating against local teams in netball competitions organised by NCI, the team will now face international teams such as Papua New Guinea, Canada, Sri Lanka, and two Singapore teams.

NCI secretary and national team co-coach/manager Tekura Moekaa said the Cook Islands first attended the Nations Cup in 2017, where they placed top.

“Given Covid-19 and financial restrictions, we have not been able to attend the Nations Cup in the last three years,” Moekaa said. ‘

“The team is looking forward to the Nations Cup, it will be much-needed game time and to see how we match up against teams like Sri Lanka and Singapore who have just recently played in the World Cup, and also get to play Canada for the first time and meet our Pacific sisters who will be going to Pacific Games as well.”

As part of their preparation for Singapore tour, the team attended the Nikao Cook Islands Christian Church service on Sunday, where the sermon focused on the biblical concept of “God Is Able”.

Netball Cook Islands said the message resonated with the members of the netball team, drawing a connection between the spiritual teaching and their ongoing netball team campaign.

The association thanked families who have been a driving force behind the team, and also Rima Moeka’a, the head coach who will be cheering the girls on. She will resume her head coach role in January 2024.

The team will return on Sunday, October 29, and pivot towards their last preparations of three weeks for the Pacific Games.

Cook Islands netball team (12 athletes, 3 officials) – Management: Tekura Moeka’a (Co-Coach, Team Manager), Tupa Tupa (Co-Coach - Assistant Manager), Technical Official: Autiare Luke. Players: Curly George, Maya Piakura, Alanna Smith, Mati Toru (CC), Romehael Rauraa (CC), Rachel Tuaputa, Mere Jean Piri, Norma Pepe, Nicol Tiaore, Aleida Tere, Kimberly Tangirere, Rochelle Teiri.