It’s August 15th, 2022, and Hulita Veve is sitting alone in her room when a message comes through. It’s an innocuous link in a group chat. She clicks it and scrolls down the page. When she sees the news, she breaks down, unable to believe what she is reading.
They had done it: the Tongan Tala had re-entered the netball world rankings (at 9th place) and would be going to the 2023 Netball World Cup.
The road to the announcement was a long, somewhat unconventional journey. In some ways it features all the classic adventure book tropes: it spans continents, features royalty, has an element of found family and includes a group of main characters who may not have met, if not for that one binding goal.
Forever a Firebird
Veve’s entry into the world of netball is like many others, as she followed her sister into the game. But when her sister gave it up, Veve continued following the Queensland pathways.
“I did all the schoolgirl teams and then the state teams: U17s, U19s and U21s. Then in 2016 I got the callup to the Queensland Firebirds. It was a bit of a shock because I wasn’t a training partner before that. I think I was 20 years old. I played that season which was their back-to-back premiership season.”
Veve as a fresh faced 20 year old in her first season with the Firebirds during the now defunct ANZ Championship. Image: Simon Leonard
That season was Veve’s last as a contracted player, as unbeknown to her teammates, she was expecting her first child.
“I was pregnant at the same time as Laura Geitz. Our two oldest children are 5 days apart. It was an interesting time because I was hiding it and she was hiding it and when she told the group I didn’t tell the group.”
From there, Veve was in and out of the Firebirds program for the next couple of years as she and her husband, Jerome, welcomed their second child. During each transition, Veve has credited the Firebirds and her family for making the balance between motherhood and elite athlete possible.
“There is an understanding of knowing that I am busy with outside life. And, I have a big extended-family, so I am supported and privileged in that way. Back then it was not really common for women athletes to have babies. But now the amount of women that have babies and come back to the game is fantastic.”
Many would wonder, why after so many years as a training partner has the now 27 year old stuck with it. Her response is simple, “I am still trying to get my way back into the Firebirds contracted ten which is a bit harder now because back when I started it was a contracted 12. It’s been a long journey. But I am still in the program and still loving it.”
While her commitment hasn’t yet landed her another contract, it has helped pave the way for what Veve describes as one of the highlights of her life, so far.
Veve is an unassuming and elusive defensive midcourter. Image: Simon Leonard
Humble beginnings
The formation of the Tongan netball team began with a series of phone calls and messages between the Tongan netball coach, Jaqua Simpson, and clubs across Australia and New Zealand. In Veve’s case it was a text message to former Firebirds coach Megan Anderson.
“My coach was contacted and asked if I wanted to play for Tonga. At the time I didn’t even know it was a thing. But after speaking with the Tongan coach, I realised it was a cool opportunity.
“Their selection process is a little different because there aren’t that many of us at this level, compared to other Pacific Island nations like Samoa for example, where there are so many even just here in Queensland.”
After a few more weeks coach Simpson reached out again, this time to ask if Veve would captain the Tongan netball team. It’s an honour which still leaves her speechless.
“I was in tears and was like ‘Of course I would.’ It was honour to even be part of the team but then to captain the side as well…”
Veve is very humble, and in some ways self-depreciating, in giving what she believes are the reasons for her selection as national captain.
“Most of the Tongan team don’t play at consistently high levels like the Australian, New Zealand or Jamaican team athletes. So, I think I was at the highest point just being a training partner with the Firebirds. And I have that experience with that elite level team. Plus, I am also the oldest in the crew, so I have to be the most mature one, right?”
Whatever the reason, Tongan Netball CEO, Salote Sisifa, is grateful for Veve’s leadership. “Hulita is beautiful in all forms. She is a young leader which we are fortunate to have leading our girls.”
Providing strong defence against Fiji in the March 2022 PacificAUS Sports Series. Image: Courtesy of Netball Australia
Finding a common connection
Since meeting, the Tongan Netball team have played three undefeated round robin competitions against other Pacific Island nations. Given their success, it is fair to assume that they were always a well-oiled machine. But Veve says that was not the case.
“That first camp in Sydney last year was a bit of a shock. I didn’t think we would do too well because we were all individuals and couldn’t really connect. I remember our first match play game was a bit all over the shop.”
So, what changed? How did a group of non-cohesive individuals come together as a title winning team?
“It was Tonga. We are really passionate about Tonga, and we know they have been through a lot in the last two years. We are always reminded by our coach and CEO of why we play, and I think that is a huge driver for us and causes us to dig deep and find that connection. And, once that connection formed off the court, it helped us on the court.”
For this group of athletes, their community extends beyond their team bubble. At any tournament there is a loud, proud, and undeniably Tongan group of supporters in the stands. Veve says that fanbase, both in the stands and from afar, definitely helps.
“When we had our first competition last year, we had such a big supportive community come out to watch. The crowd was all red. It felt like a World Cup! We know that we have support from all around the world. We’ve had people we don’t even know message us and call us. People from Tonga, New Zealand, even America showing us support and it made us realise that we were doing this for people and a purpose.”
A small portion of the Tongan supporters during the PacificAus Sports Netball Series. Image: Netball Australia Facebook
Qualifying for the 2023 Netball World Cup
Tonga’s national netball team played a World Championship qualifying tournament in New Zealand. At the time the team, wasn’t a member of World Netball. So, their achievements in 2022 are extra special for Tonga Netball as this the first time in history they have qualified and achieved such a high ranking.
To qualify for a world ranking, a team must play six or more matches, against other ranked teams, within the ranking period. Tonga achieved this at the first PacificAus Series event in March 2022. This result gave them automatic entry into the Pacific Island World Cup Qualifying tournament in July 2022 where they needed to place top two, to qualify for the World Cup. Tonga went through the tournament undefeated.
Following the qualifiers, the team rose in the ranks to 8th. Then when the latest world rankings came out on 1st March, Tonga had climbed within touching distance of the top 5 netballing nations in the world.
Seeing the latest rankings was a pinch-me moment for Veve. “We found out (about the rankings) along with everyone else. And, when I saw we were 7th, I broke down again. It is crazy. I don’t think I fully believe it. Being so close to Australia and New Zealand is just huge for us.
“Now our goal is 6th. It is only one place higher, but it will be a challenge.”
A trip to remember
After immense success over a short time, the Tongan netball team was invited for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, to visit the palace and dine with the Tongan Royal Family. But for Veve, who had never been to Tonga before, the December 2022 trip was special for other reasons.
“My dad is full Tongan. He was born in Tonga and grew up there. He passed away five years ago so the trip was special for me as I got to take my husband and our two children, to meet a lot of my father’s family for the first time. We made a lot of memories there and although it was the first time I have been to Tonga, it felt like home as soon as I got there.”
Veve, her husband and children meeting family members on her father’s side for the first time. Image courtesy of Tonga Netball
The netball pathways in Tonga aren’t as well known or supported as they are in other Pacific Island countries. However, they are growing, thanks in large part to the support from Netball Queensland and Netball Australia. So, Veve and her teammates didn’t expect a lot of fanfare when they touched down in Tonga. What they got, though, was a very pleasant surprise.
“I remember walking out of the airport doors and seeing this huge amount of people there. Some of them didn’t even know what netball was but they just rallied around us. We then drove on floats or sat in the back of utes and drove around like a parade. Everyone had signs and posters of us. It was so surreal.
“It was then, that it sunk in just how much we have actually done for our country.”
The Tala were honoured to meet the Tongan Royal family in December 2022. Image courtesy of Tonga Netball
Becoming Tala
Prior to the World Cup Qualifiers, Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u of Tonga bestowed upon the team, the name Tongan Tala. The word ‘Tala’ is representative of a deep-sea diving bird which is intelligent, curious, and quick witted.
For Veve, the name holds greater meaning than merely a bird, “Early last year we were just the Tongan netball team so now being called the Tonga Tala is really special. The meaning behind the name is to do with the way the bird finds food and lives. It relates to us, and it sounds pretty cool as well.”
So, when the Tala met the Queen, Veve was sure to thank her for honouring the team with the name. “Never did I think I would meet the King and Queen of Tonga as well as the Princess and her kids,” she said. “Meeting the Queen and actually thanking her in person for the name Tala was an honour.
“And, as a team, going to the palace and having lunch with them outside in a beautifully setup marquee was so nice. The Queen was sitting at the table across from me. I remember I couldn’t stop looking at her and thinking, ‘I hope I am eating properly.’ The experience is something that I am grateful for and will always treasure.”
Tala’s most recent accomplishment, claiming the PacificAus Sports Netball Series. Image: via Netball Australia Facebook
The next challenge
At the end of April, the Tala will be facing their biggest challenge yet when they take on Malawi and other Pacific Island and invitational teams in the next PacificAus Sports Netball Series. The series is a good chance to get more match play against different styles before the World Cup.
“I am really looking forward to that,” Veve says. “We haven’t been exposed to any African teams yet, so I think it is a good challenge for us to come up against them before we face them in the World Cup.”
The series will also be a chance for Tongan selectors to get one final look at the athletes before making their World Cup team selections. Despite being the current Tala captain, Veve isn’t certain of her position within the team.
“We are bringing away some extra athletes. No places are secured yet but I think that is actually good because it will make us work harder to impress our coach. We aren’t sure when the World Cup team is being named. I hope that as captain my spot is secured, but there could be better players she is keeping an eye on. So, I am doing what I can to make sure I work hard because nothing is given in our team.”
One of those extra athletes could be former Diamond Mo’onia Gerard who has made herself available for selection. An intimidating defender who last played in a World Cup in 2011, Gerard is current Tala squad member, Kelea Iongi’s aunt. Iongi is a current NSW Swifts training partner and a dymanic and impressive goal keeper. So, adding Gerard’s experience and leadership to the Tongan backend, is sure to make them tough to beat.
In action against Papua New Guinea during the December PacificAus Sports Netball Series. Image: Netball Australia Facebook
While World Cup preparations continue, Veve has some messages for all of the Tala’s supporters.
“I want to extend a massive thank you to Salote who is our Tongan Netball CEO. She is a huge part of our success so far. The things she does behind the scenes for our team – like she is our CEO, but she was doing our laundry on tour. She is a huge part of our success.
“And also, I need to thank our Tongan family, friends, and fans around the world. There is not long to go until the World Cup, and we just hope to do you all proud.”
Veve was part of the Queensland Firebirds 2016 premiership winning side. Image: Simon Leonard
Playing in front of a crowdless stadium during the 2021 closed doors season of Suncorp Super Netball. Image: Simon Leonard
Veve on the drive during the October PacificAus Sports Netball Series final against Samoa Tifa Moana. Image: Netball Australia Facebook
Veve was awarded player of the final at the PacificAus Sports Netball Series in October. Image courtesy of Netball Australia Facebook
