The Tagimocia Netball Club’s U15 team recently received a significant boost in their off-season preparation as they had the unique opportunity to compete against the visiting Wandereers Netball Club U15 teams from Australia. The two-day competition took place at the USP Gym in Suva on December 8-9, featuring the Tagimocia team in matches against the Possums and Emu teams.
Tagimocia’s coach, Inoke Vuli, expressed his admiration for the Australian club’s dedication to developing grassroots talent. He believes this exposure will greatly benefit his players as they embark on their pre-season training. “I can really see that grassroots is taken seriously in Australia; that’s what they showcased today,” Vuli stated, highlighting the level of commitment demonstrated by the visiting teams.
For the Tagimocia players, the matches represented a challenging yet valuable experience. Vuli emphasized that he was not focused on outcomes but rather the learning opportunities presented by competing against a higher level of talent. “I didn’t want results; I just wanted them to get their exposure and see what they can learn from the touring teams,” he remarked.
In addition to the players’ development, the competition served as an essential learning experience for local coaches. Vuli noted that the small details and strategies employed by the Wandereers teams would provide invaluable insights into improving local training methods.
In their final match against the Emus, the Tagimocia girls put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short, losing 32-20. Despite the defeat, Vuli remains optimistic that the visit from the Wandereers Club will inspire local netball organizations and stakeholders to consider more grassroots initiatives. He hopes to see greater opportunities emerge to nurture the talents of young netball players in the region, allowing them to realize their full potential.
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