The recent victory of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team at the Nations Cup in Singapore has paved the way for exciting future opportunities for the squad. Following their impressive 55-54 triumph against the Australia Under-20 team to capture the Merlion Cup, they have been invited to participate in next year’s Men’s Nations Cup and a tournament in Australia.
Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki has highlighted this win as a significant achievement for the federation. Furthermore, the calendar for 2025 is shaping up to be robust, featuring the Pearls’ PacificAus Sports series alongside these other events.
Sorovaki expressed gratitude for the support from the Fiji government and the Fiji National Sports Commission, which has provided funding for local tournaments, including an Under-21 Tri Nations Cup and an international men’s tournament. Plans are underway to potentially host a 17 & under tournament to scout for emerging talent as the current U21 players transition to the national team.
In addition to these achievements, the Fiji Pearls have maintained their 14th world ranking and were recognized as the organization of the year at the 2023 National Sports Awards. The U21 team’s recent experience in the Cook Islands served as a valuable learning opportunity, and progress has been made in training technical officials and umpires, with top umpire Litia Rabitu officiating at the NWYC regional qualifiers.
Training programs for administrators, technical support officials, and volunteers are being organized, with nationwide rallies planned to promote netball participation throughout the year. Moreover, the announcement regarding Netball Fiji’s new chief executive officer and the Pearls’ head coach is anticipated soon.
In summary, the Crest Fiji men’s netball team’s success is not only a source of pride but has also set the stage for further growth and development in the sport across the nation. With continued support and investment, the future looks promising for Fijian netball as they aim to nurture young talent and elevate their international presence.
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