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Tonga

Tonga is the only remaining Kingdom in Polynesia. It was never colonized and has a population just a little over 103,000 and is made up of more than 170 islands in the South Pacific. Tonga is known for its rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted community spirit. In recent years the nation has made significant strides in international netball marking its presence on the world stage.

Teams’ history in past tournaments:
The Tonga national netball team, known as the Tonga Tala, named by Tonga’s Queen Nanasipau’u has made history by qualifying for the Netball World Cup for the first time in 2023.

Their debut was impressive, finishing 8th overall in Cape Town, South Africa. This achievement was a testament to the team’s dedication and the growing popularity of netball in Tonga.
Key players have been instrumental in the team’s success. Uneeq Palavi, a standout goal
shooter, was the fourth-highest scorer in the 2023 World Cup, netting 238 goals. Her sister,
Beyonce Palavi, also brings talent to the team with recent performances for Tonga U21 and
the Tala’s.

The Tonga Tala’s rise in international netball reflects the nation’s passion for the sport and it’s commitment to excellence. With a blend of seasoned players and emerging talents, the team continues to inspire and unite the Tongan community both at home and overseas.

National team name: Tonga Tala
World Ranking: 9th as of 2025 highest 7th in 2023
World Cup Appearances: 1 (2023)
Best World Cup Finish: 8th place in 2023
Notable Achievement: Undefeated champions of the PacificAus Sports Netball
Series, winning Four consecutive titles from 2022 to 2024.

*This is the first time for Tonga to qualify and to compete at the NWYC Gibraltar

Leagues
Netball World Youth Cup 2025
Seasons
2025