The recent success of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team at the Nations Cup in Singapore has opened the door to exciting new opportunities. Following their impressive victory against the Australia Under-20 team, where Fiji clinched the Merlion Cup with a close score of 55-54, the team has received an invitation to return for next year’s Men’s Nations Cup and participate in an upcoming tournament in Australia.
Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki highlighted the Merlion Cup triumph as a significant achievement for the federation this year. She also mentioned that the 2025 calendar would include participation in the PacificAus Sports series, showcasing the growing presence of Fiji’s netball teams on international stages.
Furthermore, the “Baby Pearls” are preparing intensively for the upcoming Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar. Sorovaki expressed gratitude to the Fiji government and the Fiji National Sports Commission for their financial support, which has enabled local tournaments, an Under-21 Tri Nations Cup, and an international men’s tournament.
Plans are also underway to host a 17 & under tournament, aimed at nurturing the next generation of U21 players, particularly as the current group transitions to the senior Pearls team ahead of the 2025 World Youth Cup.
In addition to these developments, the Fiji Pearls have maintained their 14th place ranking from last year and received the Organization of the Year award at the 2023 National Sports Awards. The U21 team’s first outing in the Cook Islands provided valuable insights into international competition levels.
Further highlights include efforts to upskill technical officials, with top umpire Litia Rabitu officiating at regional qualifiers in the Cook Islands. The organization has also received funding from World Netball for governance improvements.
Plans for ongoing training and workshops for administrators, technical support officials, and volunteers are being organized, with rallies planned to promote netball across the nation throughout the year. The announcement of a new chief executive officer and head coach for the Pearls is expected soon.
Overall, these developments reflect a bright future for netball in Fiji, with a strong focus on youth development and international competitiveness that promises to elevate the sport further.
Leave a comment