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New Zealand has produced some strong Pacific netballers in the shooting circle, such as Maria Folau and Cathrine Tuivaiti.
Hoping to follow in that tradition is 23-year-old Amorangi Te Papa au Malesala, who plays goal attack and goal shoot for the Robinhood Stars based in South Auckland.
Stars Amorangi Malesala in action during the ANZ Premiership netball match between the Tactix and Stars at Christchurch Arena in Christchurch.
Photo: Michael Bradley Photography Ltd
Malesala is of Samoan and Māori descent and she proudly waves both flags wherever she goes.
Her netball journey started at Te Kura Māori o Nga Tapuwae, a Māori school in Māngere, South Auckland.
The former Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia rugby league star moved to English Super League club Catalans Dragons in 2020 in a deal reported to be worth $265,000 a year. He left France late last year to return to Australia to help his wife, former New Zealand Silver Ferns netball international Maria Folau look after her ailing mother. Folau was cleared by the Dragons last week and was set to turn out for Gold Coast rugby league club Southport Tigers, where his two brothers play.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Otere Black in action for the Māori All Blacks against Samoa. Black, 25, played his last game for the Blues in the Super Rugby Trans Tasman grand final win over the Highlanders.