Netball Fiji at a Crossroads: Is Leadership Change the Key to Revival?

Former national netball captain and president of the Lomaiviti Club, Vasiti Vugakoto, is advocating for significant changes in the leadership of Netball Fiji. Ahead of the Annual General Meeting in Suva, she has called on current executives to resign, reflecting the growing discontent following the team’s unsatisfactory performances, particularly their recent losses at the PacificAus Sports Series in Australia.

Vugakoto attributes the Fiji Pearls’ decline, currently ranked 14th, to poor leadership and inadequate strategic planning, a sentiment echoed by the five major clubs within the Suva Netball Association. She expressed concern over the national team’s inability to secure competitive results against regional rivals, attributing these failures to what she describes as “unacceptable standards” of leadership.

“Our girls are suffering,” Vugakoto stated. “The associations are suffering. The sport is suffering.” This lament reflects broader challenges faced by netball in Fiji, as talented players are reportedly being lost to other sports, such as rugby, jeopardizing the sport’s future in the country.

The absence of a national championship in 2024 further underscores what Vugakoto sees as neglect of grassroots netball development. She advocates for a fundamental review of player recruitment processes, emphasizing that current practices have failed to prioritize local talent.

The call for leadership change aligns with wider discussions within Netball Fiji about enhancing local competitions, as previously highlighted by RubyAnn Sorovaki, the current president. Sorovaki has emphasized the importance of strengthening domestic tournaments and developing clear pathways for players advancing to national representation. This focus on grassroots development and local competition is essential for nurturing new talent and revitalizing the sport.

As Netball Fiji faces this turning point, stakeholders are hopeful that new leadership, guided by input from passionate advocates like Vugakoto, could pave the way for renewed success in netball, both locally and internationally. The upcoming Annual General Meeting could be a critical juncture in reshaping the future of netball in Fiji.