The Fiji Baby Pearls are stepping up their preparations for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, which kicks off on September 19. Headed into the final build-up, the under-21 squad is sharpening its focus on match scenarios and high-intensity play.
Team manager Lusiana Rakavono said the group is in the last phase of training, with a heavy schedule that includes five sessions a week—two gym sessions and three on-court trainings—to fine-tune tactics and conditioning. The team has been scrimmaging against other under-21 squads and is lining up additional practice against the Fiji Men’s team to raise exposure and intensity.
What’s more, three overseas-based players are set to join the squad on September 1, reinforcing the group as it continues its build-up. Rakavono noted that these players will follow the team’s training program and coordinate with the strength and conditioning staff, ensuring a seamless integration once they arrive.
The spirit within the Baby Pearls remains high, with players enjoying every session and the on-court chemistry growing stronger by the day. The team is scheduled to depart for Gibraltar on September 12 and will begin their campaign on September 19 with an opener against Trinidad & Tobago.
Context from broader reporting around the period indicates a wider buildup ahead of the World Youth Cup. Several articles highlighted the ongoing selection process from a larger training group, the involvement of overseas-based athletes, and the plan to stage additional tune-ups against prominent regional teams to ensure the squad is battle-tested for the world stage. Reports also noted the importance of cross-training with local and international partners to sharpen speed, strength, decision-making, and game sense, all while maintaining a strong team ethos that Fiji hopes will inspire future generations of netball players back home.
The Baby Pearls have been described as a rising force in Fijian netball, with preparations framed not just as a route to a single tournament but as a platform to elevate the sport’s profile in Fiji and motivate the next generation of players.
A positive outlook underpins the current campaign, with the squad aiming to deliver a competitive showing in Gibraltar and to make a meaningful impact on the world stage, reflecting Fiji’s growing prominence in youth netball.
Summary: Fiji’s Baby Pearls are in the final stage of their NWYC prep, incorporating intense on-court work, gym conditioning, and strategic scrimmages, with three overseas players joining soon. They depart September 12 for Gibraltar, where they open against Trinidad & Tobago on September 19, in a tournament that showcases top under-21 talent from around the world and offers a hopeful platform for Fiji’s rising netball stars.
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