How Uneeq Palavi is using PacificAus Netball Series to fuel bid for Super Netball return

Uneeq Palavi is using the PacificAus Netball Series to inspire the next generation of Tongans to dream big while using the inspiration of playing for her family and culture to remind Super Netball officials of her enormous talent.

Unique by name and nature, her Super Netball debut caused plenty to sit up and take notice of one of the sport’s rising stars last season.

And Uneeq Palavi is filling her spiritual cup again this week in a move she hopes will lead to another chance in the world’s best competition.

The prolific goal shooter, a training partner with the Melbourne Mavericks, is playing for Tonga at the PacificAus Netball Series in Brisbane, sharing court time with players including Super Netball’s only other Tongan representative, Tala captain and Queensland Firebirds midcourter Hulita Veve, and her sister Beyonce Palavi.

Uneeq Palavi of Tonga in action during the Netball World Cup 2023 match between Australia and Tonga at Cape Town International Convention Centre. Photo: Gallo Images

The competition, which pits Pacific sides Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea against each other, as well as invited sides the Black Swans – an Australian First Nations combination – gives players on the fringes of Super Netball a chance to show their wares.

As a Mavericks training partner, Palavi was already on the cusp of a Super Netball debut last year.

But it was her time with the Swifts, that partly came through coach Briony Akle’s familiarity with the goaler’s ability after her 2023 World Cup stint with the Tala, that showed she has the ability to thrive at the top level.

While the Swifts’ signing of international star Grace Nweke this season meant there was no room for Palavi on the full-time contract list, after scoring 112 goals in 168 minutes on court over four games, she remains hopeful she gets another Super Netball crack in the future.

Uneeq Palavi is striving for another season in Super Netball. Picture: Getty Images

“I was so grateful to get the call up, to be able to show people what I can do,” Palavi said.

“Shout out to Briony (Akle) for giving me the opportunity to do so. She gave me advice to just be me, do me and not let the outside noise get into my head - and that really helped a lot.

“It was just an amazing feeling to be able to play at that level and get the experience that I needed to grow as a player and as a person.”

While she missed a full-time contract for this season, Palavi is not disappointed.

“The Mavs girls have been like pushing me (to be) at my best and going to training every day, I feel myself getting better and better,” Palavi said of the Melbourne Mavericks environment.

Uneeq Palavi playing for the Swifts in last year’s Super Netball competition. Photo: Getty Images

“So I’m not disappointed that I didn’t get a contract, I’m grateful that I actually got TP (training partner) because I’m still getting the experience from the older girls and Tracy and Richo (Mavs coaches Tracey Neville and Nicole Richardson) have been amazing.”

With plenty of coaches and other officials at the games live or watching online, Palavi believes the PacificAus series is a timely reminder of the skills of many plying their trades on the fringes.

“It’s another pathway for us girls to not only showcase our talents, but showcase what other countries can do,” Palavi said.

“It’s just an honour and a blessing to be able to play for your country, and it’s a much different feeling than playing for any other team really.”

Tala captain Veve, who shared the court with Palavi when the Swifts met the Firebirds in just the shooter’s second Super Netball match, said it was a special moment for the pair.

“Tonga is a small country and we had two Tongans on the court at the same time, and there was no other Pacific Islander in the SSN competition (at that point),” Veve said.

The pair have been playing for the Tala in Brisbane this week, attempting to defend their PacificAus title and their commitment to the cause cannot be underestimated.

Uneeq Palavi of the Swifts gains possession in the clash against the Queensland Firebirds at Ken Rosewall Arena. Photo: Getty Images

Palavi’s voice wavered down the phone as she described how special it was to play with her sister Beyonce, their father’s pride at his daughters representing their heritage and how their Samoan mother even is “Tongan for the week” of the carnival.

“It tears me up every time I get to take the court with my sister,” she said.

“Having my sister there’s a feeling of relief and comfort.

“We used to grow up fighting but now we’re closer than ever and having this experience, to be able to take the court with her for our country, it gets me emotional every time.

“We’re not only playing for ourselves and our culture, we’re playing for our family members and the country.”

Originally published as How Uneeq Palavi is using PacificAus Netball Series to fuel bid for Super Netball return