A pink-themed prize-giving ceremony was held on Thursday at the Orator Hotel to celebrate a year of netball for the St. Mary's Sports Club and to honour those affected by cancer.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, the sports club's President Visceta Meredith said despite the challenges faced in netball throughout the year, the year was ultimately a success.

"It was another good year for SMSC," she said. 

She added that a reserve team is the 2023 shield holder while other teams like the Premiere team were runners-up for the shield and championship rounds.

“Our success is not measured by the numbers of winnings, I would like to see it through the growth in players both on the court and off the court,” said Mrs. Meredith. 

The President also acknowledged the theme of the event and how it supports the Pinktober campaign, saying: "It is to show our support and remember our families and all those who have been affected by cancer."

She highlighted that one of the biggest achievements the club made this year was having the local netball girls given exposure to clubs outside of Samoa. 

"One of our major achievements was having to take our girls for a development tour to Auckland, New Zealand," said Mrs. Meredith. 

According to the president, over 100 people attended the prize-giving on Thursday with most of them being family members, friends and players of the club. 

Three club teams attended the prize giving: A Grade/Premiere Division, A Reserve/Team Up Division and B grade. Awards were given in four categories: Most Consistent Player, Most Improved Player, Sportsmanship Award and Leadership Award.

The main awards were presented by the C.E.O of the Unit Trust of Samoa (U.T.O.S) Tevaga Viane Tagiilima and the team awards were presented by the executive member Saui'a Louise Mataia Milo. 

Geoffrey Strickland, the president of the United Soulz Netball Club presented the awards for the A Reserve team, while the awards for the B Grade were presented by Sister Aunncia of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary.

The celebrations concluded with a traditional taualuga performed by the player of the year, Rumei Meredith, who was chosen based on her performance, sportsmanship, and club mantra-agaga kerisiano according to the S.M.S.C committee. 

The club president told the Samoa Observer that all money raised from the taualuga will be donated to the Samoa Cancer Society. 

Recipients awards:

Most Consistent Player: Nelle Merele Laban (A Grade) Annie Masina (A Reserve) Leilynn Enesi (B Grade) 

Most Improved Player: Anastacia Fido (A Grade) Marissa Afa (A Reserve) Mary-Preiere Laban (B Grade)

Sportsmanship: Geraldine Taefu (A Grade) Angelina Maiava (A Reserve) Leu Tupuola (B Grade) 

Leadership: Viena Schmidt (A Grade) Agnes Ng Cho (A Reserve) Shekinah Luamanuvae (B Grade)