Geelong United Supercats star Ella Tofaeono says inspiring young Pacific Islander girls is a big motivation

It’s a platform to inspire Pacific Islander girls that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

A firm fan favourite, the smiling and energetic Ella has been embraced by the Geelong basketball community since joining the team this year.

“I think that’s kind of my role here in Geelong, just to be that positive role model for the kids,” Tofaeono said.

“I’ve got all these little eyes watching me, just for them to give us the time to come and support us (means a lot) – a hello and a hug goes a long way!”

Sydney-born Tofaeono is extremely proud of her Samoan heritage and earlier this year had the opportunity to showcase her love of basketball alongside her passion for her culture on ABC’s The Pacific Sports Show, which highlights Pacific Islander athletes.

“It was really cool that they were able to take a snippet of my life here in Geelong, and also overseas in the USA (at college) and highlight all of the things which are super important to me, like my family, Pasifika representation, being a woman in sport and then obviously basketball,” she said.

“I think I was the first basketball player on (the show), because there’s not too many of us, so it was super special.”

Another special moment for Ella came in the Supercats weekend off last week — with no basketball games to play, she found herself at the Wallabies vs All-Blacks Bledisloe Cup match, and face-to-face with Sonny Bill Williams.

“I turned around and we made immediate eye contact – we head nodded each other, that mutual respect that we both knew we were Islander,” she said.

“He asked me what sport I played, I told him basketball and he wished us luck for this weekend.

“It was amazing, especially being Samoan and being able to see another Samoan that’s been very successful in all his athletic careers!”

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Success is what Tofaeono will be chasing this weekend with the Geelong United Supercats, as the team prepares to host the Waverley Falcons in the NBL1 South preliminary final on Saturday night at the Geelong Arena.

The two teams faced each other only once in the regular season — their last game of the final round, which saw the Supercats come out on top in an overtime thriller on the road.

“After playing them last time, we definitely have a lot of confidence going into this weekend, and it will be even more exciting because we will get to do it in front of our home crowd, and the atmosphere at the arena is just electrifying,” she said.

Originally published as Geelong United Supercats star Ella Tofaeono says inspiring young Pacific Islander girls is a big motivation