Netball Fiji has officially appointed Michelle Parsons as the new Head Coach of the Fiji Netball Team, the Fiji Pearls. This decision marks a significant advancement for the national netball program, which aims to elevate its performance on the international stage.
Parsons, originally from New Zealand, brings a wealth of experience in elite tactical coaching, high-performance pathways, and strategic program development. She is a key member of the Netball New Zealand High-Performance Coach Community, which trains coaches to progress to the ANZ Premiership with aspirations of reaching the Silver Ferns setup.
Her impressive credentials include serving as the Pathways and High-Performance Manager for Touch New Zealand, a role she will maintain through to the 2024 World Cup in England. Parsons holds a Master’s degree in Sport Coaching from the University of Queensland and is currently working towards her PhD at the University of Waikato.
In her coaching career, Parsons has had notable successes, including being a resource coach with the Northern Stars in the ANZ Premiership, and head coach of both the Northern Comets and Counties Manukau. During her tenure, Counties Manukau won their first-ever New Zealand Netball Opens National Championship in 2025, and she guided the Northern Comets to the National Netball League Grand Final in 2024. Her expertise earned her the title of Netball New Zealand National League Coach of the Year in 2024.
Expressing her enthusiasm for her new role, Parsons said, “It is a profound honour to be appointed to this role with Netball Fiji. To be entrusted with the development of the Pearls is a true privilege.” She emphasized her vision to create a world-class high-performance environment that embraces Fiji’s distinctive playing style while enhancing tactical, technical, and physical standards.
Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki expressed her support for Parsons’ appointment, stating that her vast experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team. Sorovaki highlighted that the organization feels fortunate to have Parsons lead both the Fiji Pearls and the High-Performance Coaching Program.
Based in Suva, Parsons is poised to make a significant impact on the development of netball in Fiji, fostering an environment where local talent can thrive and compete effectively on the global stage.
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