Netball Samoa is pleased to announce the appointment of Anita Keelan AM and Pelesa Semu as Assistant Coaches of Tifaimoana Samoa, strengthening the national team’s coaching leadership as preparations continue for the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.

 

The appointments bring together extensive high-performance coaching experience, international player development expertise and a deep connection to the game across the Pacific, supporting Head Coach Tia Winikerei in building a competitive and united Tifaimoana Samoa programme.

 

Anita Keelan AM brings more than 32 years of coaching and development experience across Australian netball. Currently serving as Netball Australia’s Pathway Head Coach, she leads national programmes across the 17/U, 19/U and 21/U age groups, alongside the Australian Development Squad. Her distinguished career includes six years as Assistant Coach of the NSW Swifts, contributing to three Grand Final appearances and the club’s 2019 Premiership.

 

She has also held significant roles within the NSW Institute of Sport, the Australian 21/U programme and the Sydney Sandpipers, helping develop athletes and strengthen pathways into elite netball.

 

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to sport and coaching, Keelan was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours.

 

Pelesa Semu brings a valuable connection to Samoa through her experience as a former Samoa international and Capital Shakers captain, alongside a distinguished coaching career in New Zealand spanning grassroots, school, age-group, National Netball League and ANZ Premiership environments.

 

Her coaching achievements include guiding Central Manawa to back-to-back Beko League titles, leading the New Zealand Secondary Schools team and contributing to national talent development through her work as a Zone Performance Manager.

 

A recipient of the Netball New Zealand Service Award and a NetGo Coach Ambassador, Samu has demonstrated a sustained commitment to developing players, coaches and netball programmes throughout Aotearoa. She is also proudly from the villages of Lalomalava, Ti'avea, Falease'ela, Leauva'a and Si'umu.

 

Together, Keelan and Semu bring complementary strengths in high-performance preparation, talent identification, athlete development and coaching leadership to Tifaimoana Samoa’s journey towards the world stage.

 

Their appointments reinforce Netball Samoa’s commitment to building a strong performance environment that identifies and develops eligible Samoan talent, supports athletes across international pathways and prepares the team to represent Samoa with pride at the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.

 

As Tifaimoana Samoa continues its preparations, the coaching team will work collaboratively to assess talent, develop the squad and establish the standards, unity and determination required to compete on the international stage.

 

For Samoa, the Tifaimoana dress represents more than a place on the court. It carries the hopes of a nation, the pride of Samoan communities around the world and the responsibility of inspiring the next generation.