New Zealander · Auckland, New Zealand · Born 25 October 1986The only top-level netballer in history to represent three different nations, playing for Samoa, New Zealand and Tonga across an 18-year international career.
Cathrine Tuivaiti (née Latu) was born on 25 October 1986 in Auckland to parents of Samoan and Tongan descent. She began her international career with Samoa, competing at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2007 World Netball Championships in Auckland, before completing a mandatory four-year stand-down period to switch allegiance to New Zealand. Tuivaiti made her Silver Ferns debut in October 2011 against England, scoring 17 from 17 off the bench, and went on to win 24 caps for New Zealand, including a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2014 and the 2013 Fast5 Netball World Series title. She was dropped after the 2015 World Cup, and following a 2018 knee injury drifted from the New Zealand set-up, working as a coach in England's Netball Superleague before an unexpected call in 2023 to represent Tonga at that year's World Cup in Cape Town — becoming the first netballer in history to have played international netball for three separate nations. Domestically, Tuivaiti made 122 appearances for Northern Mystics in the ANZ Championship, was the 2017 ANZ Premiership's most accurate shooter at 95% with Central Pulse, and also played for Adelaide Thunderbirds, Strathclyde Sirens and Severn Stars, later serving as head coach of Wasps Netball. Standing 189cm tall, she was included on a 2022 list of the 25 best players to feature in New Zealand netball leagues since 1998, and now lives in Italy, raising two children while beginning a coaching career.
Becoming the only top-level netballer in history to represent three different countries: Samoa, New Zealand and Tonga
How They Played
Prolific, nimble-footed shooter with deceptive movement and high shooting accuracy, able to hold space and create out of nothing
Lasting Impact
A larger-than-life character celebrated for her unique multi-national career and her nimble, high-accuracy shooting across three different international dresses
Career Honours
- Only player in history to represent 3 nations at international netball (Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga)
- Commonwealth Games Silver 2014 (New Zealand)
- Fast5 Netball World Series Gold 2013 (New Zealand)
- Named among the 25 best New Zealand league players since 1998
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Force | 2005–2007 | — |
| Northern Mystics | 2008–2016 | — |
| Central Pulse | 2017–2017 | — |
| Adelaide Thunderbirds | 2018–2018 | — |
| Strathclyde Sirens | 2019–2019 | — |
| Severn Stars | 2021–2022 | — |
New Zealander Athletes