Fiji Pearls head coach Una Rokoura revealed the squads for the Western and Central Fiji Pearls last weekend, following the FinanceHub Super League final featuring Suva Swifts IGA and Lautoka Stars.
The Central squad includes players from Tailevu Doves, Nasinu Tactix, and Suva Swifts, while the Western squad consists of players from Nadroga Stallions, Nadi Netball, and Lautoka Stars.
These extended squads will take part in selection camps in Lautoka and Suva during the off-season, which will lead to the final selection of the teams.
In addition to the main Fiji Pearls team, two additional squads – Fiji A West and Fiji A Central – will also be formed. These squads will be integrated into the high-performance program within their respective districts.
Coach Rokoura commented that the players were selected based on their performances in the 2024 Netball season. He indicated that “these players will undergo a training selection camp with their respective squad.”
“Following these camps, we will announce the Fiji Pearls Squad, Fiji A Central Squad, and Fiji A Western Squad. The Pearls squad will consist of 17 players while each Fiji A squad will have 15 players,” he stated.
Rokoura emphasized the significance of establishing two Fiji A squads to enhance the player pool within the high-performance system. He noted that this initiative addresses a vital gap experienced during the 2022-2023 WNC Campaign and provides opportunities for promising players to be part of the high-performance system.
The selections for the Central Squad are as follows:
1. Unaisi Rauluni GS Suva
2. Maliana Rusivakula GA Suva
3. Matila Vocea GS Suva
4. Jimaima Kete C Suva
5. Cilia Lewatu GA|WA Suva
6. Aliti Vunivalu GS Nasinu
7. Tokasa Gukirewa C|WA Suva
8. Tuipolotu Vulimailaucala C|WA Suva
9. Loraini Waqanidrola WD Suva
10. Cathy Babale C|WA Nasinu
11. Joana Vulaca C|WD|WA Nasinu
12. Anaseini Nauqe C|WA Suva
13. Avelina Navue C|WD Suva
14. Di Mere Derenalagi GD|GK Suva
15. Kalesi Tawake GD|WD Suva
16. Mereseini Drua GK Nasinu
17. Elenoa Kaibau GK Tailevu
18. Seruwaia Radiva GD|WD Suva
19. Loata Natoga GD|WD Suva
20. Reama Verekauta GK Suva
21. Elenoa Gukirewa GD|WD Suva
22. Lusiana Likudomole C|WA Suva
23. Meme Baleiyanuca WA Suva
The selections for the Western Squad include:
1. Robyn Vula GS|GA Nadroga
2. Tarusila Sito GS FSSBA
3. Sereana Viriviri GK Nadi
4. Di Salote Kaibau GS|GK Lautoka
5. Shopie Hicks GS|GA FSS[Tavua]
6. Melania Rokoua C|WA Lautoka
7. Lanieta Kubunaceva C|WA Nadroga
8. Rosie Batimala C|WA Nadroga
9. Siteri Kekewai C|WA Nadroga
10. Makereta Lesuma WA|GA Lautoka
11. Elenoa Nawai WD|GD Nadi
12. Verenaisi Sawana GD|WD Lautoka
13. Alumita Rakuro GD|GK Lautoka
14. Titilia Buloubuli GK Nadroga
15. Mereoni Kuru WD|GD Lautoka
16. Lusiana Ledewa WD|GD Nadroga
17. Leoni Kamila GD|GK Nadroga
18. Ilisapeci Lagi WA|C Lautoka
19. Maria Ralase WA|WD Lautoka
20. Cathy Jane Naqesa GS|GA Lautoka
21. Mere Kuru GD|WD Lautoka
22. Yvonne Nalewabau GD|WD Lautoka
23. Asilika Tora GA|WA Lautoka
24. Salote Vosa GK|GD|WD Lautoka