To see netball delivered across all of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a dream that Lynette Maha, CEO of Netball PNG, now knows can be realised. The Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was a lifeline and a timely intervention that she says promises a new era for netball in PNG.

Netball PNG utilised ODA funding to establish some critical operational basics: office space, developing a strategic plan, staff training on sports administration, supporting staff with annual work planning and staff salaries for key organisational roles – CEO, High-Performance Manager, Sport Development Manager, and Media & Communications Manager.

Having this support has brought helpful structure to the organisation. It has also meant “breathing room” for the Board of Directors, who were having to do most of what the staff are now doing. Having structure and staff to carry out organisational activities has meant the Board can now focus on how to support Netball PNG. The staff have been enjoying the consistency of planned approaches and meeting indicators, each having a plan and timeframes within which milestones need to be achieved. This has really built the confidence and self-esteem of all staff.

Over the last few years, Netball PNG has faced several challenges. Like the world over, COVID-19 brought Port Moresby Netball Association to its knees. In Lae and Morobe, Government took over netball facilities to be used as temporary morgues. Just as they thought they were going to get back to the courts, a general election was announced and the Government commandeered all available sports facilities for four months, to be used as election counting centres.

But once the COVID-19 lockdowns had lifted and elections were over, Netball PNG travelled to major regions to provide basic coaching and umpiring workshops in the remainder of 2022.

“They’re beginning to play again. For both Kerema and Lae, there are groups of people who are big-built and tall and so with ODA’s support, we can develop these players to reach national level. The height is something we are missing from our teams – we need to counter the heights in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, and ODA funding has enabled us to realistically plan for that. We know there is interest from the provinces. In Kerema Town, in the Gulf Province, villagers paddled in to come meet with Netball PNG. It’s a small town with huge security issues but when people heard that the Federation was coming, they came in huge groups.”

Through the support of the ODA program, Netball PNG has been able to travel to other areas within PNG and support more clubs and associations with their development from grassroots to high performance. With PNG being such a diverse country, access can be challenging, but Netball PNG is determined. They want to broaden the delivery of netball in PNG so all Papua New Guineans can benefit from being part of netball.

On a personal level, Maha has benefited from mentorship that complements the training she’s been undergoing as a Sports Administrator and CEO. The mentorship and training has changed her and her team’s general outlook of the sport, and their attitude to important organisational processes such as marketing and financial management. A major change at a personal level has been her increased capacity to envision what netball can become in PNG.

“I appreciate Australia and Netball Australia, and how they are helping us change things fundamentally – it really is a new era for PNG in netball. I’m always overwhelmed when I think about it. I am in a place where I am driving change. It is a big ask. It is a weight on my shoulders, but a good weight.

I have an opportunity to influence the direction of netball in my country: I’m proud to be part of that journey but also, a little scared. It’s a challenge and I’ve been so enriched by this circle of women in leadership: those who support us here at home in PNG, those who we meet and learn from through the ODA and my netball contemporaries in the Pacific.

To see netball delivered throughout all of PNG is the dream. We are building up the fundamentals now and yes, if we just keep at it and stick to our strategic plan and work plans, our priorities, the region should be seeing more of Papua New Guinea netball soon.”