The recent victory of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team at the Nations Cup in Singapore has paved the way for exciting new opportunities in the sport. Following their impressive performance, the men’s team has received an invitation to participate in next year’s Men’s Nations Cup, along with a chance to compete in an Australian tournament. This was announced by RubyAnn Sorovaki, president of Netball Fiji.
One of the standout moments of the year for the federation was the thrilling 55-54 victory over the Australia Under-20 team to secure the Merlion Cup. Sorovaki also mentioned that the 2025 calendar will feature the Pearls’ PacificAus Sports series, further showcasing Fiji’s growing presence in international netball.
In addition to these achievements, Sorovaki expressed gratitude to the Fijian Government and the Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) for their support through funding for local tournaments, an Under-21 Tri Nations Cup, and an international men’s tournament. Plans are in place to potentially host a 17-and-under tournament, aiming to identify and develop the next generation of netball talent as the current cohort transitions into the senior team.
Netball Fiji has also celebrated the success of the Fiji Pearls, who maintained their 14th place ranking last year and were honored as the organization of the year at the 2023 National Sports Awards. Sorovaki noted that their U21 team’s recent outing in the Cook Islands provided valuable insights into the competitive landscape, marking a significant learning experience.
The federation has also made strides in governance, including upskilling technical officials, with top umpire Litia Rabitu officiating at the NWYC regional qualifiers in the Cook Islands. Funding from World Netball’s Strategic Development Fund will support advancements in governance-related initiatives.
Looking ahead, training sessions are planned for administrators, technical support staff, and volunteers. Furthermore, rallies are scheduled nationwide to promote netball participation throughout the year. As Netball Fiji anticipates the announcement of a new chief executive officer and the Pearls’ head coach shortly, the future of netball in Fiji seems bright and promising.
In summary, the progress and support for netball in Fiji represent a hopeful trajectory for the sport, building momentum for upcoming competitions and nurturing the next wave of talent.
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