As the Cook Islands prepares to host the 2024 Netball World Youth Cup Qualifier Oceania next week, its U21 national team is eager to capitalise on the home-court advantage and benefit from the enthusiastic support of the local community.

National team coach John Glassie says the players can’t wait to hit the court as they aim to qualify for the Netball World Youth Cup 2025.

The Netball World Youth Cup Qualifier Oceania will be held in Rarotonga from September 16-21 at the National Sports Arena.

Cook Islands will compete against Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea (PNG) for a spot in the world event.

Glassie says preparations are going well, and there has been a lot of work done on the players’ strength, fitness and skills.

“Learning how to train at an elite level was a steep learning curve. However, the squad has proven they can build to an elite level,” Glassie said.

“The teams coming over are well prepared and play elite netball in Australia and New Zealand with a large player pool to choose from.”

Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are top quality teams, says Glassie, adding the qualifiers will be a tough battle.

“All teams have height in the shooting circle and speed in the midcourt. It’s going to be fast, tough games.”

The tournament starts on Monday next week with Samoa taking on Tonga in the first match at 5pm followed by the Cook Islands versus PNG clash at 7.15pm.

Glassie said the opener would be a great game, with PNG doing a lot of work with players in Brisbane, Australia.

“We are looking forward to playing qualifiers at home. Having a home ground advantage is tremendous. We can’t wait to play in front of a stadium full of positive vocal supporters,” he said.

“The team can’t wait to hit the court running.”

According to Oceania Netball, five teams from the region will compete, with four – Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga – vying for a spot in the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 to be held in Gibraltar.

Fiji, which has pre-qualified, will participate as a non-competitive team.

Netball Cook Islands U21 training squad: Tia Crombie, Kydan Tuapou, Tapuaiva Piakura, Jazaria Tongotong, Aaliyah Koteka, Nicol Tiaore, Deja-Maree Waitere- Patterson, Normavina Pepe, Maihanarei Short, Aleida Tere, Mattelena Tepai, Ngahuia Te Rure, Jazaria Tongotongo. Reserves: Maya Piakura, Terrisa Piri, Maara Teariki,

Fixtures: September 16:  Samoa vs Tonga- 5pm; CK Islands vs PNG- 7.15pm; September 17: Tonga vs CK Islands- 5pm; Fiji vs Samoa- 7.15pm; September 18: PNG vs Samoa- 5pm; Tonga vs Fiji- 7.15pm; September 19: Fiji vs PNG- 5pm; Samoa vs CK Islands 7.15pm; September 20: CK Islands vs Fiji- 5pm; PNG vs Tonga- 7.15pm; September 21: yet to be finalised.