After two years in the international wilderness the Cook Islands netball team will compete in the Nations Cup tournament in Singapore next week.
The Black Pearls last played a test at the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea and have since lost their world ranking due to a lack of matches.
The Cook Islands Black Pearls squad to the Nations Cup in Singapore. Photo: Netball Cook Islands
They'll play Malaysia, Hong Kong, Ireland, Swaziland and host nation Singapore over the coming week.
Coach Dale Atkinson said they can not wait to get back out on court.
"Oh look amazing opportunity and we wanted to go last year but (decided) in favour of the Under 21 campaign going to Botswana, which we fully supported because that's about growth and development as well."
"Netball Cook Islands just couldn't afford to have both teams running and fund them because there's a lack of sponsors - there's just a lack of funding. Consequently, because of that, we've also lost our ranking so we actually go into this Nations Cup with no ranking," she said.
The Cook Islands hosted Singapore in 2013, with the visitors winning the third and final match 43-41. Photo: Netball Cook Islands
Luci Nicholas retains the captaincy while Ashleigh Iro, Eri Te Ana Short and Ana Salanoa also offer previous test match experience.
The other eight will be making their test debut for the Black Pearls but Dale Atkinson says only two are brand new to international netball, with the others having featured at Under 21 level.
The Cook Islands face Malaysia first up on Sunday evening.
"I've been studying some of the opposition and countries like Hong Kong who have very experienced players because a lot of them are expat Kiwis or Australians, so I'm expecting them to be strong."
"Same with Singapore - since (former Silver Ferns coach) Ruth Aitken has been there they've put in some really good structures and Natalie Milicich, who was coaching in the Beko League for the Pulse (in New Zealand), she's been appointed to that coach so I'm expecting to see some real discipline from those two teams and the other countries - I think we have as good a chance as anybody else," she said.
Following the Nations Cup, Dale Atkinson said the Cook Islands are expecting to take part in World Cup qualifiers in April next year.
