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Netball a pathway to healthier Tongan mums
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The Australian Government and the Government of Tonga are working together to tackle the problem of high physical inactivity among young women and mothers in Tonga. Netball has been identified as a positive force in addressing this problem.

The Australian Government is working with the Government of Tonga to encourage women of all ages to improve their health by getting involved in the sport of netball.

In Tonga, when a woman finishes school or becomes a mother she normally stops playing sport and generally being active. This is due both to a lack of opportunities to participate in sport and community perceptions. For example, some women feel that playing games is something only young girls at school do.

These perceptions are being challenged and women are receiving education around the benefits of exercise for disease prevention as part of a campaign to reduce lifestyle-related or non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs, such as type 2 diabetes, are the leading cause of death in Tonga, claiming four out of five lives in the region.

Foeata, a 32-year-old mother-of-three participating in Tonga Netball Association tournaments supported by the Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP), is enjoying the benefits of being involved in sport.
‘I feel great about myself since I joined our local club in March. I feel more energetic and I can do more with the children now because I am more active,’ Foeata said.

Program tournaments offer a variety of age categories, including for older women, with the goal of reducing the barriers for women participating in, or returning to, sport. Through the tournaments Foeata has learned about the benefits of physical activity in preventing NCDs. She was also impressed with the ‘Drink fresh clean water’ campaign being implemented by Tonga Health and felt it was important to drink lots of water throughout the day, rather than sugary drinks such as soft drink.

Foeata has been inspired to continue with the netball program and reflects on the words of a Jimmy Cliff song which goes ‘You can get it if you really want, but you must try, try and try, try and try!’.

How the programme works

ASOP works in partnership with the Government of Tonga to use sport as a platform for improving the health-related behaviours of women and to provide leadership opportunities for women and girls.

Ms Netina Latu, ASOP Tonga National Coordinator, said Foeata is a great role model for the cultural shift that the program is trying to kick-start in Tonga. ‘She is a great example of the ASOP partnership approach contributing to real change in the lives of Tongan woman,’ Ms Latu said.

ASOP is an Australian Government initiative funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and delivered by the Australian Sports Commission.

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