The recent victory of the Crest Fiji men’s netball team at the Nations Cup in Singapore has paved the way for exciting new opportunities. Following their win, they received an invitation to participate in next year’s Men’s Nations Cup, as well as an Australian tournament.
Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki highlighted that the thrilling victory over the Australia Under-20 side, where Fiji triumphed with a score of 55-54 to claim the Merlion Cup, stands out as a significant achievement for the federation this year. She further mentioned that the 2025 sporting calendar would include the PacificAus Sports series for the Pearls team.
“The men’s team has been invited to a tournament in Australia and a series in Singapore,” Sorovaki stated. Additionally, the Baby Pearls are gearing up for intensive preparations ahead of the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) set to take place in Gibraltar.
Sorovaki expressed appreciation to the Fiji government and the Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) for their support in funding local tournaments, including the Under-21 Tri Nations Cup and an international men’s tournament. Plans are also underway to host a 17-and-under tournament, contingent on securing funding and sponsorship, to nurture the next crop of Under-21 players as the current team transitions to the Pearls team in preparation for the 2025 NWYC.
Beyond this, Sorovaki noted other success stories, including the Fiji Pearls maintaining their 14th ranking from last year and winning the Organization of the Year award at the 2023 National Sports Awards. The recent outing in the Cook Islands for the U21 team was described as an enlightening experience regarding their competitive level.
Moreover, the federation has focused on enhancing the skills of technical officials, with top umpire Litia Rabitu officiating at the NWYC regional qualifiers in the Cook Islands. Netball Fiji has also received funding from World Netball through the Strategic Development Fund for governance initiatives. Training sessions are scheduled for administrators, technical support officials, and volunteers, with plans for rallies nationwide to promote netball participation.
The announcement of a new chief executive officer and head coach for the Pearls is anticipated soon.
This resurgence in Fiji’s netball scene not only reflects the hard work and dedication of its players and administrators but also highlights the potential for growth and greater recognition in the international sporting arena. The journey ahead appears promising, paving the way for the development of young talent and the continued success of Fiji’s netball endeavors.
Leave a comment