Sarah Oliver
Up and coming netball star Mel Oloamanu has continued to prove her talent on the court after being selected to play for Victoria in the under-19s in the 2022 National Netball Championships.
The 19-year-old Melton resident from City West Falcons said she was shocked when she found out she’d made the team.
“At first I was shocked…I was so happy and so excited. A bit nervous as well but mostly just excited about the great news. And everyone just started messaging congratulations,” she said.
Training has already begun for the team which Oloamanu said has been awesome so far.
“Everyone feels like family to be honest and the girls get along really well with each other. All happy vibes. Just getting used to the structure but overall it’s been a really good two sessions,” she said.
Oloamanu said their biggest strength is their connection on and off the court.
“Without the connection then… Everything would be all over the place,” she said.
“The way we support each other is awesome as well, even if we make mistakes.”
The teen, who mostly plays goal defence but also pulls on a goalkeeper or wing defence bib, said her biggest strength is her voice and talking on the court.
“And connecting with the players as well because, when that comes into play everything runs smoothly.”
In the lead up to the competition, which is being held in Hobart in April, Oloamanu said she needs to work on her fitness.
“For me personally I think it’s (improvements) just my fitness. It has been a work in progress for a while… And just staying constant on court,” she said.
The defender started playing when she was about 12-years-old after being inspired from watching her older cousin play, Elisapeta Toeava.
“She’s playing for the (Northern) Mystics team in New Zealand. It’s so good to watch her on the big screen and support her,” Oloamanu said.
The 27-year-old Toeava, who plays wing attack and centre positions, has also played for the Silver Ferns for the national squad in 2018 and in 2020-21.
It didn’t take long for Oloamanu to progress and have her skills recognised.
In 2019, she represented the Australian under-16 netball team in the nationals as co-captain.
When speaking with Star Weekly in 2019, she said pulling on the green and gold for the first time was something she will never forget.
“The first time I represented Australia, it was such an honour,” she said.
“It was just an amazing experience to go out there and represent this country.
“Even though we won silver, I reckon the memories are gold.”
And in 2019 she represented Victoria at under-17 level for the first time.
In 2021, Oloamanu was a training partner for Collingwood which she is in the middle of trialling for this year.
“I’m really hoping that I do (make it)… If I don’t there’s always another door open,” she said.
“It’s been an amazing experience training with all the girls.”
Having a career in netball would be a big dream come true for the young gun.
“The end goal is to just have my parents proud of me,” she said.
