PNG hockey sisters ecstatic to be part of Sol2023

Just being part of the Sol2023 Pacific Games in Honiara has already been a dream come true for sisters Daniella and Georgina Bon – who are part of Papua New Guinea’s national women’s hockey team currently competing at the Games this week.

Hockey sisters Daniella, 26, and Georgina, 20, hail from a mixed parentage of Morobe, Central and New Ireland provinces in PNG. Both are key members of the PNG hockey team especially because of their versatility in playing various positions within the team set-up.

Daniella plays in goal and also as an attacker, whilst Georgina is mostly an outfield player but can also stand in as goalkeeper whenever needed.

“Our love for hockey and motivation to excel in the national team started some five to six years back having been actively involved in hockey as volunteers and now as national reps for PNG,” Daniella said.

“We are here not only to compete but as sports ambassadors for our country. Being role models in the team is also very important to us.”

Daniella is an electrician by trade while her younger sister Georgina is a student of Southern Cross University (Australia), majoring in management. Both have been instrumental in helping PNG place fourth on the hockey ladder after the round-robin competition, and will contest the bronze medal match on Friday.

Encouraging others to take up sports, especially hockey, Daniella said: “Hockey is a fantastic sport – one that’s full of excitement. Get into the hockey family and be part of it, you definitely won’t regret it.”

Sharing similar sentiments, Georgina said: “Regardless of whatever you do, whether you are working or a student, sports does provide opportunities and take you places. Us being here and enjoying our time with the Pacific family is testament to that”.

By Jeffson Aghi, Ellen Tinoni, Marella Puleki and Emily Ramofolo, Pacific Games News Service