The recent victory of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team in the Nations Cup in Singapore has paved the way for new opportunities for netball in Fiji. The team has been invited to participate in next year’s Men’s Nations Cup and will take part in an upcoming tournament in Australia. This announcement was made by Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki, who highlighted the men’s thrilling 55-54 win against the Australia Under-20 side to secure the Merlion Cup as a standout moment for the federation this year.
In addition to the international outings, Sorovaki mentioned that the 2025 schedule will feature the Pearls’ participation in the PacificAus Sports series. The men’s team’s upcoming tournament in Australia and the Singapore series indicate a bright future for Fijian men’s netball.
Netball Fiji is also focused on nurturing talent, with intense preparation plans for their Baby Pearls ahead of the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar. Sorovaki emphasized the importance of the support received from the government through the Fiji National Sports Commission, which has facilitated local tournaments, including an Under-21 Tri Nations Cup and an international men’s competition.
Plans are underway to potentially host a 17 & under tournament to scout for emerging talent as the current Under-21 players transition into the senior team. The Fiji Pearls managed to maintain their 14th place ranking last year and received accolades for being the organization of the year at the 2023 National Sports Awards, showcasing the growth and recognition of netball in Fiji.
Sorovaki noted that the Under-21 team’s initial experience in the Cook Islands was enlightening, revealing the competitive levels they need to aspire to. Among other positive developments in netball, the upskilling of technical officials has progressed, and top umpire Litia Rabitu officiated at the NWYC regional qualifiers in the Cook Islands.
Funding from World Netball under the Strategic Development Fund has been allocated for governance work, and training programs are planned for administrators, technical support, and volunteers. Efforts to promote netball throughout the country are also set, with rallies scheduled to ensure widespread participation.
With new leadership expected soon, including the appointment of Netball Fiji’s new chief executive officer and Pearls head coach, the future of netball in Fiji looks promising as they continue to build on their successes and strive for further achievements on both the local and international stages.
This momentum not only reflects the dedication of players and officials but also fosters a spirit of growth and opportunity within Fiji’s netball community.
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