The Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu Women’s team departed Thursday afternoon for New Caledonia, where they will compete in the Pacific-France Women’s Championship, a four-nation tournament officially sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The competition will run from Monday, March 10th to Friday, March 14th, 2025, in a single round-robin format, with the finals taking place on March 14th.
The team will face strong competition from Fiji, Samoa, and the host nation France, marking their first-ever encounter with France. This new challenge excites the squad, which includes a mix of experienced players and emerging talent.
“We are excited for this opportunity to compete against top teams in the region and test ourselves against France for the first time,” said team coach Joshua Rasu. “It’s a great chance for us to continue developing and strengthening women’s cricket in Vanuatu.”
Several players are travelling from overseas to join the squad. Captain Selina Solman, Nasimana Navaika, and Valenta Langiatu are flying in from Brisbane as they balance seasonal work and cricket. Rachel Andrew has returned from a player placement program in Melbourne to join the squad. The team also includes three promising high schoolers—Susan Stephen, Natalia Kakor, and Vanessa Vira—who were part of the history-making squad that competed in the UAE last year, gaining invaluable international experience.
Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu Women’s Team:
Selina Solman (Captain)
Alvina Chilia
Gillian Chilia
Rachel Andrew
Mahina Tarimiala
Naitha Simelum
Nasimana Navaika
Natalia Kakor
Susan Stephen
Valenta Langiatu
Vanessa Vira
Vicky Mansale
The team is guided by Joshua Rasu, captain of the men’s national team, who also serves as head coach. He is supported by assistant coach and High-Performance Manager, Chris Laffan. Additionally, Mary Estelle-Mahuk accompanies the squad as team manager, overseeing the smooth running of operations throughout the tournament.
Vanuatu Cricket extends its gratitude to Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu for their continued support of cricket in Vanuatu. This tour is also proudly supported by Interchange Limited, whose sponsorship earlier this year helped elevate women’s sport in Vanuatu.
Additionally, we would like to express our thanks to the French Embassy, and Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer, for assisting the VCA in securing visas for all players after the system was down due to the earthquake, ensuring their smooth travel for the tournament.
The team will be aiming to make an impact and proudly represent Vanuatu on the international stage. Stay tuned for match updates and results as the tournament progresses.