POMNA embracing a solid season

The Port Moresby Netball Association (POMNA) got things underway for the 2024 season over the weekend with the opening games for round 1.

Two rounds comprising seven games each have been parked for this year’s race with firm emphasis put on the under-21 competition.

Association president Linda Ligo told NBC News that POMNA is eying another competitive season with collaborate effort from all participating clubs to run the games comprehensively.

“We’re looking at a big season especially for the U21 years,” Ligo told this newsroom.

“We will have two rounds with hopes to conclude the season before the national championships in September.

“Majority of our girls competing in POMNA are currently in the PNG Pepes U21 team preparing for the World Cup qualifiers in Cook Islands so it’s a positive step for our junior divisions.

“We’ve made a slight change in our premier division by elevating Tenant Lightening, who have some of the current national players in the team.

“It’s going to be a good season as teams look forward to taking on their rivals.”

Reigning champions Credit Corporation Sparrows will be aiming to claim the premiership title for the third consecutive year under the guidance of head coach Julienne Leka.

Leka has been the brain behind Sparrows success, claiming back-to-back trophies in the last two seasons of the leading netball competition in the country.

But other teams in the premier division in Veupanama, Telstars, Mystics and Aroma Coast among others are not to be underestimated as the competition unfolds at the Rita Flynn Outdoor Courts.

Ligo said POMNA staged a three-week preseason to set the pace for 2024 with an esteemed focus on lifting the standard of the code in PNG.