Sophia Hartley
speaker
87 appearances
1 recordings
1 series
first heard Jul 2026
last heard 23 Jul
Sophia Hartley’s voice in public audio — every appearance, attributed to the second.
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Appearances
The Documentary Podcast · The spirit of Tala: The rapid rise of Tonga's netball team · 23 Jul 2026
podcast
The tuka haybird was believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1948 in the New Zealand mountains.
It's widely considered a symbol of resilience among Pacific Island culture.
And that's where our story starts.
Tonga, a small island located in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean.
It's up to 5,200 kilometres away from Melbourne, Australia, with a population that could almost entirely fit into the famous Melbourne cricket ground.
It might be one of the smallest nations in the world.
Geographically isolated, this Pacific island is home to one of the most remarkable rises in sport history.
Tonga is a fiercely independent, culturally rich and deeply spiritual place.
A philosophy that has propelled this netball team to the top.
From the BBC World Service, welcome to the documentary.
I'm Sophia Hartley with the story of the spirit of Tala, the rapid rise of Tonga's netball team.
Renowned for its passion and success in rugby in recent years, it's actually Tonga's netball team that has captured the world's attention.
But rewind to 2014 and Tonga didn't even have a professional netball team.
They didn't even have a coach.
Just a dream to compete with the best in the world.
This was their chance to build a better future for girls and women in Tonga.
We are strong, we are mighty and we will take on any challenge with two hands.
Just like the Takahei birds fight for survival, this is a story of hope, community and resilience.
A netball team from one of the smallest countries in the world competing with the best on the international stage.
A netball team that still trains in a bank car park.
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