The Salad Bowl netball festival will broaden its scope next year by incorporating rugby and volleyball into its events. Judy Kumar, the president of Salad Bowl netball, revealed the plans following the successful turnout of this year’s festival, which featured 36 netball teams.
Kumar stated, “Next year, we’ll introduce rugby and volleyball, and we’re looking to invite teams from Australia to compete against Western teams.” The initiative aims to provide local teams with increased opportunities for competition and skill development. “It’s not just about winning cash, but about enabling development teams to grow,” she added.
This year’s festival included 12 Under-15 teams, 16 Open Grade teams, and 8 men’s teams, and the upcoming expansion is expected to make the 2025 festival even more significant. Kumar expressed gratitude towards the event’s sponsors for their vital role in this year’s success.
She thanked Coastal Rentals, Salad Bowl Island Hire for facility costs, KBL Buses, and Jay Whyte from Sigatoka River Safari for their generous contributions, including cash prizes for the Under-15 category and recognition of the two best players. She also appreciated the support from the Fiji Sports Council for providing the venue.