Tonga Tala to Make History on Home Court Against Australia
The Tonga Tala will make history when they play on home soil for the first time, hosting Australia’s rising netball stars in Nuku‘alofa from 31 October to 3 November. The TALA-TUTONE tour, named by Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau‘u Tuku‘aho, will mark the 150th anniversary of Tonga’s Constitution. Fans can expect an emotional homecoming as the Tala take the court in front of their own crowd.
The Tonga Tala will finally step onto home soil for the first time in history when they host Australia’s emerging netball talent in Nuku‘alofa later this year.
From 31 October to 3 November 2025, the Tala will play a three-day series at Tonga’s new national stadium as part of celebrations marking 150 years of the Tongan Constitution. Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau‘u Tuku‘aho has named the tour TALA-TUTONE, a tribute to the Constitution and the songs of the late Queen Sālote Tupou III.
For the players, the chance to perform in front of their own people will be a defining moment. Tonga Netball Association CEO Salote Sisifa called it “a historic opportunity” that will give the national side the homecoming it deserves. “For our national team to play in front of our home crowd… just thinking about it, I get goosebumps,” she said.
The Tonga Tala, ranked ninth in the world and four-time winners of the PacificAus Sports Netball Series, will face a youthful Australian squad led by coaches Anita Keelan AM and Michelle Wilkins.
Beyond the matches, the tour will also include school visits and cultural exchanges, deepening the bond between Tonga and Australia while showcasing the role of sport in uniting communities.
