The recent triumph of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team at the Nations Cup in Singapore has paved the way for exciting new prospects. The team has received invitations to participate in next year’s Men’s Nations Cup and will also take part in an upcoming tournament in Australia. This announcement was made by Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki.
Sorovaki highlighted that the team’s narrow victory, finishing 55-54 against the Australia Under-20 side to claim the Merlion Cup, stood out as one of the federation’s key achievements for the year. She further mentioned that the 2025 calendar will feature the Pearls’ PacificAus Sports series, underscoring the growing opportunities for both the men’s and women’s teams.
In her comments, Sorovaki expressed gratitude to the Fijian government and the Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) for their support, which has included funding for local tournaments, an Under-21 Tri Nations Cup, and an international men’s tournament. Plans are also in progress to host a 17 & under tournament, aiming to nurture the next generation of players as the current U21 players move into the Pearls team.
Additionally, other noteworthy accomplishments for Netball Fiji include the Fiji Pearls retaining their 14th ranking from last year and being recognized as the Organization of the Year at the 2023 National Sports Awards. Sorovaki mentioned that the U21 team’s first competition in the Cook Islands was a valuable experience, providing insight into the level of competition faced.
To enhance the sport’s governance, Netball Fiji has received funding from World Netball’s Strategic Development Fund. Training sessions are being organized for administrators, technical officials, and volunteers, with nationwide rallies planned to encourage widespread participation in netball throughout the year.
In an exciting development for the organization, a new chief executive officer and head coach for the Pearls are anticipated to be appointed soon.
This promising news reflects the continuous progress and support for netball in Fiji, indicating a bright future for the teams and the sport as a whole. The emphasis on development and preparation for upcoming competitions demonstrates a committed strategy to elevate Fiji’s presence in the sport on a global stage.
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