Netball Samoa has begun recruiting young netballers for its Oriana Netball Samoa Development Program.

Netball Samoa Chief Executive Officer, Rosemarie Lome, said the goal of Oriana is to become a feeder for the local clubs.

"The main purpose of Oriana is to be a feeder for our clubs, we provide the players with the basic netball skills, and to the parents a list of our national clubs for them to see which club would be best suited for their daughter to join,” Lome said in an interview. “Therefore we have a new cohort of players each year.

“The 2020 Oriana Development team is in the process of forming their own club with the parents and players, the positive outcome of our development programs.”

The turn-up of upcoming players for the Oriana is great, leading to a rise in player numbers, added Lome.

“"It was great to see new faces and their parents being there to support them. Heaps of players from last year! Definite increase,” added the C.E.O. “We had to close our registration on Monday because we already had the maximum number of players.  

“It is not about crunching numbers but providing quality training sessions.”

The 2021 netball season is set to start after Samoa's 2021 General Election with the netball executives indicating that the year program will be circulated.

She also mentioned that the U21 squad has been consistent with their training, though the sport is currently in pre-season mode.

"Consistent and responsive to their training program, we are in pre-Season mode and it is all about getting fit and conditioned ready for their respective netball league. 

“We have fortnightly zoom meetings with all players – just to follow up on their training programs, answer any queries they may have, and get to know each other. 

“We have developed a team statement to build our team culture: we are Samoans playing netball not netballers playing for Samoa.”

Lome expects better outcomes for Oriana this year and hopes to strengthen the age group competition this year.

"We are able to get new players into our Oriana Development clinics so that we can strengthen our Age Group Competition of the National Netball League,” she said. “Increase the participation of girls and boys playing netball. Increase the number of players that are keen to take their netball to a competitive level rather than recreational.”