Titans’ netball ‘dream’ leaders
Oxenford, Gafa unanimous
Papua New Guinea-born Hewago ‘Ace’ Oea became part of history when he debuted for the Gold Coast Suns in 2022.
The then 20-year-old was the first PNG product to crack the AFL stage, and now watches on as the next generation of Pacific talent follow his footsteps.
Three under-16s athletes from Papua New Guinea flew to the Gold Coast this week, to play and train with an extended squad from across the state.
“It’s good to see the young kids coming down and being given a good opportunity,” Ace said.
“I’m so proud to see the Suns give these boys an opportunity to come here and play the sport.
“Opportunities don’t come twice... one day they can follow my footsteps.”
Looking back on the hard work it took to debut for the Suns, the speedy halfforward can’t help but feel a sense of pride.
“I came through the same pathway these boys are... playing for Queensland and for the Gold Coast Suns,” he said.
“To see them come down, as a role model for them and to give them confidence to play AFL back home, is really good.”
The 22-year-old began his Suns journey as an under-14s athlete before making his way through the ranks and being drafted by the club in 2021.
He has since played 13 games across the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
“When I was drafted I realised how much my family and my community had done for me,” he said.
“Rugby is the main sport back home, so for my community to see me debut, I got a lot of support.”
Papua New Guinea’s AFL programs have grown exponentially in recent years, and the hard work of coaches within the Suns to promote sport in the Pacific region is compounding efforts.
“AFL PNG have done great job going to schools and community to get the game going.
“Back home we have heaps of talent playing rugby, and to see them move to AFL is massive,” he said.
“We want young kids to play AFL and earn this opportunity.”
In Ace’s eyes, participating in a sport that brings communities together is what matters most. It’s what AFL is all about.
“Everyone is out there with different backgrounds and building relationships and that’s what I love about the sport.”
The Gold Coast Titans Netball have revealed their 2024 Hart Sapphire Series captains, the starry duo set to lead what could be the club’s redemption year.
A shock preliminary final loss to the Brisbane North Cougars in 2023 set Titans back a step after what could have been the perfect season.
No doubt reeling from the late-season disappointment, Kristen Oxenford (captain) and Bryah Gafa (vice-captain) are gearing to lead their squad all the way in 2024.
Results from the player-led vote were announced at last night’s season launch.
Head coach and ex-Silver Fern Temepara Bailey said the vote went exactly how the coaching panel had dreamt.
“It was pretty much unanimous except for Kristen (pictured) and Bryah not voting for themselves,” she said.
“Whenever we have the players come back to us, we coaches are always thinking ‘this is what we hoped they’d say’.
“If we hadn’t agreed with the decision, we would have asked management to weigh in.”
Both Oxenford and Gafa joined the club in its first year in 2022, a fact Bailey hopes will play in their favour.
“Kristen and Bryah have been at the club since it’s inception and they’re just natural leaders.
“The players look up to them and they know how to have a little bit of fun which is important.”
“When it’s time to put in hard work, they do. When it’s time to talk, they have great things to say and don’t overspeak. “We’ve got a couple of young ones in the group, and they’re always being supportive.
“They both understand the players which makes our job easier.
“In a team, there are different personalities that have to mould together.
“What we’ve been seeing at training is really positive and much better than what we saw this time last season, in terms of invisible threads and the trust.
“I am confident they’ll do a great job.
“It’s going to be a really tight competition and we’ll have to work extra hard every single week, even on week’s with a bye.”