Fresh Off The Field Radio Australia

Vaimo’oi’a Ripley always wanted to see a Pacific Island nation's flag alongside the big guns in sailing at the Olympics, given the sport's cultural significance and ties to the region. Now, she's weeks away from competing for Samoa at Paris 2024 and doing just that! We hear about her resilience, why a 'never give up' attitude paid off and what her Olympic goals are.

As well, Indra Singh and Kalo Moli join us to chat about all the other sport happening across the Pacific Islands.

Bobby Macumber is away on assignment so this week we re-visit some of the best sporting chats we've heard this year on Fresh Off The Field. You'll learn about Olympic hopefuls, new coaches, cricket pioneers and AFL stars.

Lenora Misa is as resilient as she is proud and the netballer lines up in the Pacific Netball Series in June to try end Tonga Tala's grip on the tournament. Bobby chats to Misa about her Samoan culture, how she juggles Netball and full time work and why her 3rd ACL injury nearly broke her.

Tiana Severino-Fidow fills in for Bobby and alongside Patricia Keamo and Priestley Habru, look over all the biggest sporting news from the Pacific. And Patricia and Priestley get to brag about the men's State of Origin result.

The Samoan women's rugby union team are playing for a spot in the 2025 Rugby World Cup and Bobby chats to Isadora Laupola & Denise Aiolupotea about the Championships in Brisbane. They discuss dropping everything and playing for their country, their pride and nerves in representing their parents and grandparents and what it would be like to go to a World Cup.

As well, Priestley Habru and Talei Matairakula join Bobby to discuss all the sport going on in Fiji, Solomon Islands and across the Pacific.

Leaving her family and friends behind at age 15 and travelling from Fiji to New Zealand was a scary start to Lili Tokaduadua's netball journey. It's paid off though with the young Fijian securing a contract with the Northern Stars in the top NZ netball league in her first year out of school, so we here her story and how she stays connected to her Fijian culture and family.

Kalo Manu-Moli from Tonga is co-hosting with Bobby today so we chat Tongan Olympic hopes plus keep up to date with the latest OFC Men's Champions League and the Pacific Netball Series in June locks in the 6 competing teams.

Just when Wesley Tikiariki Roberts was close to ending his swimming career, a trip back home to the Cook Islands for a break gave him renewed love for the sport. Hoping to make his third Olympics in a row, we talk to Roberts about the power of home, what it's like to carry the flag for your country and the story of his nickname - The Enuamanu Princess.

Bobby is also joined by Patricia Keamo to talk cricket and PNG's NRL bid and Finau Vulivuli to chat about the OFC Mens Champions League and commentary opportunities at this week's Super game in Fiji.