The National Brunei Netball Team in a group photo. PHOTO: BRUNEI NETBALL ASSOCIATION
The National Brunei Netball Team left the country for Melbourne on Saturday to begin a weeklong international exposure programme in preparation for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2025.
Present to send off the team at the Brunei International Airport was President of the Brunei Netball Association, Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Hajah Wan Shalimar binti Haji Suhaili along with senior committee members who offered their encouragement and confidence as the players set off for their competitive assignment.
The Melbourne stint plays an important role in the national team’s build-up for the SEA Games in Bangkok in December. The programme has been designed to place Bruneian athletes in a high-intensity environment where they can fine-tune their tactical awareness, sharpen their match temperament and learn to adapt quickly to different styles of play.
Facing Australian opponents allows the team to experience a more physical and fast-paced brand of netball, a quality that is expected at regional tournaments.
According to the Brunei Netball Association, throughout the week, the team will undergo structured warm-up sessions, friendly matches and performance analysis led by the coaching staff. They will compete in four scheduled matches, beginning with a contest against the Altona Representative Team before progressing to additional fixtures at La Trobe Sports Stadium.
Each game has been planned not only as a test of skill, but also as a study session for the coaching team, who will observe movement patterns, stamina management and teamwork cohesion. This will allow them to identify specific areas that must be refined before the squad enters the regional stage.
The training days in Melbourne also offer players the chance to strengthen mental resilience, an essential element when competing in an international setting.
Being away from home, adjusting to a different climate and managing a tight schedule helps athletes build discipline and adaptability, both of which will be vital when the team faces strong opponents in Bangkok. Recovery periods and light activities have been incorporated to maintain balance and keep the team in peak condition throughout their stay.
The Brunei Netball Association expressed its hope that the technical lessons, match exposure and mental readiness gained from this programme will lift the national squad’s performance level.
With the SEA Games drawing closer, the association believes the experience in Melbourne will equip the players with greater confidence, sharper gameplay and a clearer understanding of the standards required to compete against the region’s best. – James Kon
