The Victorian Men’s Netball League, or MLeague, offers elite Men’s & Mixed Netball at it’s best, which has deemed it one of Victoria’s most exciting netball competitions.
With the 2019 Senior competition commencing Wednesday 28 August, the newest club to step up to the ranks are ready to have their voices heard.
Pasifika Sharks, started by Poni Smith, was established for the the Victorian men’s netball islander community, to nurture and mentor young islanders coming through the pathway of VMMNA.
According to Smith, the ambition to play in the MLeague competition has been something he and his team have been striving towards for a while.
“I think for a couple of our players it’s been a long time coming,” Poni said.
“We just want to show what we’ve got when we play together.”
As a big supporter of the many elite netball competitions offered in Victoria, Poni’s role with Pasifika grew from being a a supporter of the initial idea to establish a team of Pasifika’s calibre.
“As a supporter of MLeague and the Bupa VNL (Victorian Netball League), I just wanted to take board in the whole managerial and recruiting process to bring the idea alive.
“From what we know about men’s and mixed netball, MLeague is the best competition and we wanted to be playing on the best stage there is.”
For Poni, it is more than just bringing a new name in netball to the MLeague, it is about structuring a home for like minded individuals with a passion for netball.
“We are trying to start off as strongly as possible with a core aim and mission statement.
“That, for us, is about culture, inclusion and growth. Our ambition is to really build a really supportive culture that encourages growth and community.”
“The focus is towards the islander specific community and players coming through the ranks for the New Zealand area too.
“We want to continue and build up that idea of community in netball that we’ve all experienced growing up here and in New Zealand.”
“It shouldn’t be any different for those wanting to step up and play in MLeague. Our priority will be to ensure everyone is happy and playing the game they love, and then that will bring us success.”
Entering two new teams in the men’s and mixed division, Pasifika could be the new team to beat with some notable names on their rosters.
“Both our teams are actually really strong and it does have a mix of people who have already played in MLeague, but for different sides, and then interstate players.
“We’ve got Junior Levi who shoots for the New Zealand men’s team and played in the Cadbury Netball Series, as well as Cameron Powell. We have some new players to the league too who have come through from social netball.”
“Even though we’re new to the competition we have a lot of experienced players that are familiar with competitive netball, so the first couple of weeks will just be finding our feet and in the end I’m pretty sure we can be in finals contention.”
A strong sense of community and team has been built before the season has even begun, and it seems there will be one key ingredient that will separate Pasifika from the rest.
“Our hope is to just be really loud and competitive. We are going to be so loud that everyone will have to take notice,” Poni laughed.
“As pacific people we just love to laugh so we’re probably going to be the loudest people just by laughing,
“But I’m pretty sure as soon as we jump on court our competitive nature will come out!”
Matches for Round 1 of the Senior MLeague will start from 7pm at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
For more information on team line-ups click here.
