Local players from Samoa and other Pacific nations will be part of the inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Challenge, scheduled for November at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena.

This is an initiative of the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports.

The stand-alone tournament marks a significant milestone for Pacific netball as the first national competition designed exclusively for Pacific-based netball players.

Unlike previous editions of the PacificAus Sports Netball Series, which often featured Pacific athletes based in Australia or New Zealand, the 2026 Challenge will focus solely on netballers based in Pacific nations.

The PacificAus Sports Netball Series, a long-running competition involving national teams from across the Pacific, will return in its usual format in 2027.

Netball Australia CEO Stacey West said the Challenge tournament will open new pathways for athletes, coaches and administrators across the Pacific while supporting the global growth of the sport.

“This initiative is crucial in supporting Pacific Netball Federations to continue their in-country development and maintain the growth and sustainability of netball globally, particularly in the lead-up to major events like the Netball World Cup and as netball pursues Olympic inclusion,” West said.

The Challenge tournament concept emerged from consultations between Netball Australia and Pacific Netball Federations, where federations highlighted the need for clearer national-level pathways for Pacific-based players.

The tournament is intended to strengthen high-performance development across the region and bridge the gap between Pacific-based athletes and their international counterparts.

Netball Samoa CEO Justine Samu described the event as a major boost for local athletes.

“This Challenge tournament is a true game changer for our emerging local athletes. It strengthens our commitment to providing high-performance development pathways,” she said.

“I believe this initiative will reignite the passion for netball among young girls, encouraging them to return to the sport in secondary school and beyond, ultimately expanding our reach across Samoa.”

Netball Fiji President RubyAnn Sorovaki said the competition would broaden access for locally based athletes.

“With a high percentage of our athletes being locally based, a competition like this lifts the opportunity for a wider cross section of athletes to participate both in our pathway and become possible squad members,” Sorovaki said.

Beyond athletes, the Challenge tournament will also offer professional development opportunities for local coaches, umpires and bench officials, supporting multiple areas of the Pacific netball ecosystem.

Tonga Netball Association CEO and Oceania Netball Federation President Salote Sisifa also welcomed the initiative.

“Having this Challenge event in place is welcoming for all, because it’s where our local players, local coaching staff, and local administration step in. As for the athletes who really stand out, this is the pathway to bridge the gap between our local players and the national team,” Sisifa said.