15 TEAMS VYING FOR NETBALL GLORY

NIGEL MADO

THE race for national netball honours will go down to the wire tomorrow, with 15 senior women’s teams battling through the final rounds of the 2026 National Championships.

Tournament director Maria Guria said the competition had reached a critical stage yesterday, with teams facing several more rounds before the finalists are determined.

The tournament has attracted teams largely from the National Capital District and Central Province, while associations from East New Britain, Manus, Madang and Milne Bay have also made the trip to compete.

Bougainville was initially included on the list of participating teams but was unable to attend because of issues that prevented the team from travelling.

Guria said the early start was necessary to ensure the tournament could be completed within the available timeframe.

The senior competition follows the completion of the junior women’s competition, with the national championships serving as one of the Federation’s major annual programmes.