The recent victory of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team in the Nations Cup held in Singapore has paved the way for exciting new prospects for the team and the federation. Following their impressive win against the Australia Under-20 side with a score of 55-54 to clinch the Merlion Cup, the team has received invitations to participate in next year’s Men’s Nations Cup as well as an Australian tournament.
Netball Fiji’s president, RubyAnn Sorovaki, expressed pride in the men’s achievements, highlighting the victory as a standout moment in the federation’s year. Looking ahead to 2025, Sorovaki mentioned that the Pearls will be part of the PacificAus Sports series, while the Baby Pearls gear up for rigorous preparations leading to the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) in Gibraltar.
Sorovaki also noted the critical support from the Government via the Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC), which has provided funding for local tournaments and initiatives, including an Under-21 Tri Nations Cup and an international men’s tournament. Plans are in motion to potentially host a 17 & under tournament, designed to nurture the next generation of U21 players as they transition into the Pearls.
Other notable achievements for Netball Fiji include the Pearls maintaining their 14th ranked position from the previous year and winning the Organization of the Year award at the 2023 National Sports Awards. Furthermore, Sorovaki cited the U21 team’s debut in the Cook Islands as an enlightening experience, allowing the team to gauge their level of play.
Additional milestones include the advancement of technical officials, with top umpire Litia Rabitu officiating at the NWYC regional qualifiers, as well as receiving funding from World Netball aimed at enhancing governance. Training sessions have been arranged for administrators, officials, and volunteers to promote netball across the country.
In the near future, Netball Fiji is expected to announce its new chief executive officer and head coach of the Pearls, which promises to further strengthen the federation’s commitment to growth and development in the sport.
This article showcases the determination, hard work, and progress being made within Netball Fiji, with a clear trajectory toward greater achievements in the sport. The federation’s focus on youth development and skill enhancement stands as a hopeful indicator of their future success and the potential to inspire a new generation of athletes.
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