The recent victory of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team at the Nations Cup in Singapore has paved the way for exciting future opportunities. Following their impressive win, the team has received an invitation to participate in next year’s Men’s Nations Cup and will also compete in a tournament in Australia.
Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki expressed pride in the team’s performance, highlighting their narrow 55-54 victory over the Australia Under-20 side as a significant success for the federation this year. Looking ahead, Sorovaki mentioned that the 2025 calendar will feature the Pearls’ PacificAus Sports series, further showcasing the development of men’s netball in Fiji.
In addition to participation in international tournaments, Sorovaki noted the support received from the Fiji government via the Fiji National Sports Commission, which has funded local events including a Under-21 Tri Nations Cup and an international men’s tournament. She also indicated aspirations to host a 17 & under tournament to help nurture upcoming talent as the current players transition into the Pearls leading up to the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar.
The Fiji Pearls have also enjoyed success recently, maintaining their 14th rank from last year and earning the title of Organization of the Year at the 2023 National Sports Awards. Challenges faced by the Under-21 squad during their first outing in the Cook Islands were recognized by Sorovaki as valuable learning experiences.
Moreover, initiatives to upskill technical officials have been underway, evidenced by top umpire Litia Rabitu’s participation in the NWYC regional qualifiers. The federation has secured funding from World Netball under the Strategic Development Fund to enhance governance.
Training programs for administrators, technical support officials, and volunteers are set to commence, along with nationwide rallies to promote netball participation across the country. Netball Fiji is also poised to announce a new chief executive officer and head coach for the Pearls soon.
This development in netball signifies a growing recognition of the sport in Fiji and hints at a bright future for both male and female teams. With the support of the government and the community, there’s great potential for Fiji to continue thriving in the international netball scene.
Overall, Netball Fiji’s advancements are commendable, not only providing opportunities for players but also fostering the growth of the sport within the nation.
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