The Fiji men’s netball team achieved a historic victory at the Men’s Netball Nations Series in Singapore last week, thanks in large part to their use of the ‘hoist’ defensive strategy. This tactic, originally popularized by former Silver Ferns star Anna Harrison over a decade ago, was initially developed by the Singapore netball team.
During the Nations Series final, Fiji found itself down by eight points in the first quarter against Australia, a highly structured team known for their clinical shooting. Head coach Jioweli Makare recognized the urgent need to adapt defensively. He noted, “Australia is too clinical and very structured. Their shooters are just putting those balls in even when we have only one defender defending. We had to come up with a strategy to block them because they were seamless in their shooting.”
Inspired by the techniques of Harrison, Makare encouraged his defenders to implement the hoist maneuver effectively. He reminded them that everyone makes mistakes, and they must rise to the occasion against the proficient Australian shooters. This strategic adjustment ultimately allowed Fiji to edge out their competitors with a narrow 55-54 victory, as some Australian shots began to miss towards the end of the game.
The hoist, also referred to as the chair lift in other regions, is a legal tactic that involves lifting a teammate to block a goal attempt, requiring the defender to be within three feet of the shooter.
Following their impressive victory, the team was celebrated with a morning tea hosted by FinanceHub at Vinod Patel in Centrepoint, Suva, highlighting the community’s pride and support for the players.
In summary, Fiji’s innovative use of the hoist strategy played a crucial role in their nail-biting win, showcasing the importance of adaptability and teamwork in sports. The support from both fans and sponsors indicates a bright future for Fiji’s netball endeavors, fostering hope for more achievements in the upcoming competitions.
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