The battle on the courts has started as the Secondary Schools Netball Championship started on Wednesday at Tuanaimato.

Eight teams from Savaii and 24 from Upolu will battle it out to claim supremacy in three divisions, junior, intermediate and senior.

The secretary of the Samoa Secondary Schools Principal Association Sita Finau Matautu said they looked forward to some good competition.

Vaiola College were the champions of the Savaii Zone. The team hopes to end the dominance of the Upolu teams.

“We have two teams, intermediate and senior. We are camped at the Pesega College Campus and will be heading back on Friday. The preparation of our two teams for the tournament has been outstanding,” said the vice principal of Vaiola College Deutzia Seumanutafa.

“They have done their best in training, and have come so far, we trust them that they will perform well, but whatever outcome there is, we are prepared, “said school coach Nofoaluma Mariner.

The tournament includes six mixed teams, giving boys an opportunity to be part of the tournament.

“It has been two years since the mixed division was added. We have seen the appreciation and the interests of more students playing netball, most especially boys now joining the mixed teams from their schools said Mrs Matautu.

Captain of the Nuuausala College mixed team Etuati Etuati said they have come ready to win.

“I play with all I’ve got as our team is determined to take the mixed teams win as we were the winners of our zone, “said the 16-year-old player.

St Mary’s College after making a clean sweep of Zone B, want to go a step further.

“All St Mary’s teams, junior, intermediate and senior, were the champions. The goal is to win all of our games. But if we lose, we will be humble and will accept it,” said  St Mary’s coach Alice Kakopau.

“We are good at team plans and can work together as a team and I am confident that my teammates will take the win,” St Mary’s vice captain Malia Losalia.

Pool matches were played on Wednesday with finals on Thursday.