The recent victory of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team at the Nations Cup in Singapore last month has paved the way for exciting opportunities ahead. The team has been invited to participate in next year’s Men’s Nations Cup and will also take part in a tournament in Australia.
Netball Fiji president, RubyAnn Sorovaki, highlighted the team’s thrilling 55-54 win against the Australia Under-20 side as a standout moment for the federation this year. Additionally, the 2025 calendar is set to feature the Pearls’ PacificAus Sports series.
“The men have been invited to a tournament in Australia and the Singapore series,” stated Sorovaki. She also mentioned that the Baby Pearls are gearing up for the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) scheduled in Gibraltar with a rigorous preparation plan.
Sorovaki expressed gratitude to the government and the Fiji National Sports Commission for their backing, which includes funding for local tournaments, an Under-21 Tri Nations Cup, and an international men’s competition. Plans are also underway for a potential 17 & under tournament, aimed at nurturing the next generation of Under-21 players as the current group transitions to the Pearls in preparation for the NWYC in 2025.
Other noteworthy achievements for Netball Fiji include the Pearls maintaining their 14th rank from last year and being recognized as the organization of the year at the 2023 National Sports Awards. Sorovaki noted that the Under-21 team’s experience in the Cook Islands was a significant learning opportunity regarding the competition level they face.
Further successes involve the upskilling of technical officials, with prominent umpire Litia Rabitu officiating at the NWYC regional qualifiers, along with receiving funding from World Netball under the Strategic Development Fund for governance initiatives.
Training sessions for administrators, technical support officials, and volunteers have been scheduled, with nationwide rallies planned to ensure netball remains active across various regions throughout the year. The announcement of a new chief executive officer and head coach for the Pearls is also anticipated soon.
Overall, these developments indicate a promising future for netball in Fiji, reflecting growth, increased opportunities, and strategic preparations for upcoming events.
In conclusion, this progress could not only strengthen Fiji’s standing in the international netball community but also benefit local talent development and inspire future generations to engage with the sport.
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