Six debutantes will feature for the Cook Islands team in the upcoming Netball World Cup qualifier to be held in Suva, Fiji.

National coach Joy Bates has named six newcomers in her travelling 15-member squad to the qualifiers to be held next month.

They are Jordayn Matutu of Arorangi Flames, Romehael Rauraa (Arorangi Flames), Nicole Tiaore (Avatiu Dragonflies), Mele Poaru (Avatiu Dragonflies), Iva Piakura (Ngatangiia/Matavera Eastern Stars) and Norma Pepe (Tupapa Maraerenga Netball Club).

The team dominated by Rarotonga players has only two overseas based reps – Alex Iro (Auckland, NZ) and Ailish Akavi (PIC Netball Club, Wellington, NZ).

In a statement, Netball Cook Islands said: “It is a special team of players with a good combination of the experienced and future talent for Netball Cook Islands.”

Netball Cook Islands president Mii Maui earlier told RNZ it was likely some New Zealand and Australian based players would be named in the team for the World Cup qualifiers.

“Initially, because of Covid restrictions we were looking at 100 per cent local team management and players. However with the borders opening up we may take on some key players that we need for our team from New Zealand and Australia,” Maui said.

Wellington based Bates was appointed head coach of Cook Islands in February and has since been able to visit.

“We had our first trials during the Easter weekend and that was just to get a pool of girls together to start working together,” Maui said.

The final trial was held on June 6 in Rarotonga.

Maui said it was a huge blow when Covid also led to the cancellation of the Youth World Cup set to be host in Fiji last year.

“We missed out on an opportunity to continue to develop some of those players, who would be senior players now.”

Fiji is hosting Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea in World Cup qualifier in Suva next month.

Teams have to finish in the top two to qualify for the 2023 World Cup and there are no more opportunities to qualify after that.

• Additional reporting by RNZ

Cook Islands netball squad

Travelling 15 – Alannah Smith (Titikaveka Pearls), Marjorie Toru (Avatiu  Dragonflies), Jordayn Matutu* (Arorangi Flames), Rochelle Teiri (Avatiu Dragonflies), Alex Iro (Auckland, NZ), Maeva Carr (Titikaveka Pearls), Ashley Iro (Titikaveka Pearls), Romehael Rauraa* (Arorangi Flames), Natalia Short (Titikaveka Pearls), Nicole Tiaore* (Avatiu Dragonflies), Ailish Akavi (PIC Netball Club, Wellington, NZ), Eri-Te-Ana Short (Titikaveka Pearls), Mele Poaru* (Avatiu Dragonflies), Iva Piakura* (Ngatangiia/Matavera Eastern Stars), Norma Pepe* (Tupapa Maraerenga Netball Club). Non-Travelling Reserves – Skye Tauia (NZ), Rangi Tatuava (Takuvaine Netball Club), Kiana Sword-Aria (Tupapa Maraerenga Netball Club), Pare Noovao (Tupapa Maraerenga Netball Club), Lenae Tiaiti (Aus). Head Coach: Joy Bates, Asst Coach: Sebon Will, Manager: Jenna Tere, Physio: Talia Rout (* indicate debut)