Tasmania’s newest Jewel has a superpower and she’s not afraid to use it, Ella Tofeano is bringing her trademark enforcer-strength to the Tasmania Jewels for WNBL27.
The 6’3” Kiwi-born centre says her Samoan heritage drives her on and off the court presence, with pure power on the court and nothing but big heart off of it.
“It might be the Polynesian side of me, I am a bit of an enforcer on the court,” Tofeaono said. “I take pride in my strength, and my strength is my superpower.
“Off the court, I’m all about community and connection. I’m big on people first, athletes second.
“It’s kind of funny, every place I travel and play I tend to gather new family and friends and I can’t wait to get to Tassie and do the same.”
The 28-year-old has blazed a trail from college basketball in Texas, to representing her country with the Tall Ferns and now she’s headed across the ditch to Tasmania.
Tofeaono has also forged a formidable reputation in the WNBL, playing for the Townsville Fire, Canberra Capitals and Adelaide Lightening.
It was during her time at the Townsville Fire during in the 2023/24 WNBL season that Jewels Coach Claudia Brassard first met her.
“Ella brings a real physical presence to our frontcourt,” Brassard said.
“She competes every possession, rebounds the ball at both ends and gives us the toughness and interior presence every successful team needs.
“She’s a team-first player who will add to the culture we’re building.”
With Tofeaono committed to join the team, pending WNBL review and approval, the Jewels now have only two rostered and two import spots left to fill.
Memberships will go live on July 14, with the first game for the Jewels scheduled for October 15 at the MyState Bank Arena in Hobart and the first game at the Launceston Silverdome on October 31.
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