One Netball (Tonga)

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for effective sport for development interventions in Tonga. The One Netball Tonga program builds upon the existing successful partnership between Tonga Netball Association and Netball Australia.

The program supports Tongan communities to realise their full potential through netball. It continues and expands Tonga Netball Association’s popular suite of netball development activities, which enable Tongan communities to experience lifelong enjoyment, social inclusion and improved physical health through netball. These established participation programs include: KidsNet; Corporate Competitions; Kau Mai Tonga Tournaments; Mo’onia Cup; Te Tau Lava; and Netball Outreach on the remote islands of Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou. Through the exposure of these development programs to 1,700 participants and their communities in each year of funding, numerous positive community outcomes will be realised including:

• More opportunities for Tongans of all genders, ages and abilities to participate in netball
• Increase in positive attitudes towards women and girls in Tonga
• Women, girls, and leiti community members feel confident to challenge social norms
• Regular physical activity and support leading to decreased incidence of non-communicable diseases.

The broad remit of netball activities under the One Netball Tonga program will target and benefit participants as young as six years old through to young adults (17-25 years old) as well as government ministry staff from Tongatapu to Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou. Women and girls are the predominant beneficiaries but key activities aim for gender parity across both coaches and participants.