The recent triumph of Crest Fiji’s men’s netball team at the Nations Cup in Singapore has paved the way for exciting new opportunities. Following their victory, they have received an invitation to compete in next year’s Men’s Nations Cup and will also participate in an upcoming tournament in Australia. This news was shared by RubyAnn Sorovaki, the president of Netball Fiji.
Sorovaki highlighted the men’s dramatic 55-54 win over the Australia Under-20 team, securing the Merlion Cup, as a standout moment for the federation this year. Looking ahead, she mentioned that the 2025 schedule will feature the Pearls’ participation in the PacificAus Sports series.
“The men have earned spots in a tournament in Australia and the Singapore series,” Sorovaki stated. Additionally, preparations are intensifying for the Baby Pearls as they get ready for the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) in Gibraltar.
The federation expressed gratitude to the Fijian government and the Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) for their funding support, which will help facilitate local tournaments, the Under-21 Tri Nations Cup, and an international men’s tournament. Plans are also in place to potentially host a 17 & under tournament to nurture the next generation of players as the current squad transitions to the Pearls, with an eye on the NWYC in 2025.
In other news, the Fiji Pearls maintained their position as 14th ranked globally and received the Organization of the Year award at the 2023 National Sports Awards. Sorovaki acknowledged that the U21 team’s experience in the Cook Islands was a major revelation regarding the competition level they faced.
Additional achievements include enhanced training for technical officials, with top umpire Litia Rabitu officiating at the NWYC regional qualifiers, and securing funding from World Netball’s Strategic Development Fund to support governance improvements. Training sessions have been organized for administrators and technical support officials, along with nationwide rallies to promote the sport across Fiji throughout the year.
In the near future, Netball Fiji is set to announce a new CEO and head coach for the Pearls, signifying the continued growth and development of netball in the country.
This article shines a light on the growing prospects for Fiji’s netball teams, showcasing their achievements and the support they are receiving. The outlook for the sport appears bright as efforts to nurture young talent and enhance professional administration continue to flourish.
Leave a comment