The recent victory of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team at the Nations Cup in Singapore has led to exciting new opportunities for the team. They have received invitations to participate in next year’s Men’s Nations Cup as well as an upcoming tournament in Australia. This announcement was made by Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki.
Highlighting their success, Sorovaki noted that the team’s narrow win of 55-54 against the Australian Under-20 side to secure the Merlion Cup was a significant accomplishment for the federation this year. Looking ahead to their plans for 2025, she mentioned the inclusion of the Pearls’ PacificAus Sports series in the calendar.
Sorovaki expressed gratitude towards the government and the Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) for providing funding that supports local tournaments, an Under-21 Tri Nations Cup, and an international men’s tournament. They are also exploring the possibility of hosting a 17 & under tournament, aimed at nurturing the next generation of Under-21 players as they transition into the Pearls team leading up to the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) in 2025.
Netball Fiji has seen other achievements, including the Fiji Pearls maintaining their 14th ranking from last year and receiving the ‘Organisation of the Year’ award at the 2023 National Sports Awards. Sorovaki also mentioned the U21 team’s experience in the Cook Islands as a valuable learning opportunity.
Additionally, there have been significant advancements in training technical officials, with top umpire Litia Rabitu officiating at NWYC regional qualifiers. The organization is also focusing on governance improvements, assisted by funding from World Netball’s Strategic Development Fund.
Training sessions for administrators, technical support officials, and volunteers are in the pipeline, alongside nationwide rallies to promote netball throughout the year. The announcement of a new chief executive officer and Pearls head coach for Netball Fiji is anticipated soon.
In summary, the recent gains for Netball Fiji not only mark a successful year but also pave the way for future growth and talent development within the sport, instilling hope and excitement among players and fans alike. The ongoing support from government bodies and the focus on youth will likely enhance Fiji’s standing in international netball.
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