A rare talent with all the hallmarks of a quality player, up-and-coming shooter Malia Paseka’s short career has already made significant strides.

Born in Auckland, Paseka spent 10 years in New Zealand before her family moved across the Tasman. Progressing through NSW representative teams, it wasn’t long before talent spotters identified her and she soon represented the New Zealand Secondary Schools team.

Making the move back to New Zealand, Paseka played her first year of the ANZ Championship with the Northern Mystics in 2013.

That proved a defining year for the natural playmaker, who went on to play an influential role in the NZ U21 team’s standout win against Australia in the final of the 2013 World Youth Championship.

Later that year, Paseka was named as one of four training partners to accompany the Silver Ferns on their tour of England and Scotland.

Playing for Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in 2014-16, Paseka’s game continued to flourish, including selection for the Silver Ferns team for the Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015.

She made her Silver Ferns debut against the Fiji Pearls in July 2015 in the first Test of the Taini Jamison Trophy in Porirua.

Adept at both shooting roles, Paseka is an outstanding athlete; her great elevation, aerial skills, sure hands and feet and easy shooting style providing all the necessary attributes to make a significant impact on the game.