The recent victory of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team at the Nations Cup in Singapore has created exciting new opportunities for the players and the federation. With their outstanding performance, particularly the nail-biting 55-54 win over the Australia Under-20 team to claim the Merlion Cup, the team has been invited to participate in the Men’s Nations Cup next year and an upcoming tournament in Australia.
Netball Fiji President RubyAnn Sorovaki expressed pride in these achievements, noting that the upcoming 2025 calendar will also feature the Pearls’ PacificAus Sports series. In addition to the men’s team’s progress, the Baby Pearls are gearing up for the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) in Gibraltar with a rigorous training schedule.
Sorovaki praised the support from the Fiji Government and the Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC), which has provided funding for local tournaments, an Under-21 Tri Nations Cup, and an international men’s tournament. Plans are in motion to organize a 17 & under tournament to cultivate the next generation of players as the current ones transition into the Pearls.
The federation is also celebrating other successes, such as the Fiji Pearls maintaining their 14th rank and winning the organization of the year at the 2023 National Sports Awards. Sorovaki highlighted the valuable insights gained during the U21 team’s first experience in the Cook Islands, emphasizing the growth opportunities ahead.
Furthermore, Netball Fiji is committed to enhancing the skills of technical officials, with top umpire Litia Rabitu officiating at the NWYC regional qualifiers in the Cook Islands, and has received funding support from World Netball for governance initiatives. Ongoing training sessions are being organized for administrators and volunteers to expand netball’s reach across Fiji.
In a promising development for the future of Fijian netball, the announcement of a new chief executive officer and head coach for the Pearls is expected soon.
This highlights a bright future not just for the men’s and women’s teams, but for the entire structure of netball in Fiji, reflecting a commitment to growth and excellence in the sport.
Overall, the achievements of Netball Fiji and the upcoming opportunities signify a positive trajectory for the sport in the region, fostering talent and broadening the platform for players to excel on both national and international stages.
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