The Pacific Oceania Fed Cup tennis team begin their bid for promotion today in Thailand.
The composite team finished fifth of eleven teams in Asia/Oceania Zone Group Two in India last year, the first time Pacific Oceania had competed at Fed Cup level since 2004.
Papua New Guinea tennis player Abigail Tere Apisah. Photo: Facebook/Abigail Tere Apisah
This year they have set their sights on top spot in in Hua Hin and will rely on the experienced duo Steffie Carruthers from Samoa and Papua New Guinea's Abigail Tere-Apisah.
Samoan tennis player Steffi Carruthers. Photo: Facebook / Tennis Samoa Inc
Newcomers Ayana Rengiil from Palau and Tahiti's Mayka Zima are also in the squad but are not expected to make it on court.
Team captain Patrice Cotti said there is a good feeling in the team.
"At the end of the Fed Cup 2015 last year we decided together that for this year, in 2016, our common goal will be to be promoted. I think and we think that is posssible. The first step was to select the best team so I think that with Steffie and Abby we have the two best players. After that the two girls are good and they will be a part of the team for everything, even if it's not to play it's to be good in the common life every day and I think for this year we have to go step by step."
Pacific Oceania's first round robin tie is against Hong Kong on Monday, before taking on Iran, Bahrain and the Philippines during the week.
Meanwhile the Pacific Oceania Junior Fed Cup team will also compete in Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying in New Delhi, India this week.
