Goodman Fielder Fiji (GFF) has partnered with the Fiji Netball Association to sponsor the upcoming Fiji Secondary Schools Netball Championship, scheduled for August 21 to 23 at the National Netball Centre in Laucala, Suva. The tournament will be officially named the Crest Chicken Fiji Secondary School Netball Championship.
Netball Fiji CEO Vivian Koster highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating that it promotes netball at the secondary school level. Koster remarked, “It not only supports our school-based athletes but also helps grow grassroots netball.” She added that schools play a crucial role in developing future talent, with a 21-and-under squad currently training for the Netball World Youth Cup, which includes 17 students from secondary schools.
This year’s championship will feature 132 teams competing in six categories, including a boys’ division. Each category will consist of 22 teams, selected from various districts across the country, bringing together approximately 1,980 players for the national championship.
FSSNA president Navitalai Naivalu expressed gratitude for Goodman Fielder’s ongoing support of netball development in Fiji, stating, “We hope to work more with GFF in the future and look forward to this year’s competition.”
GFF general manager Tim Carter shared their enthusiasm for engaging with secondary netball, noting the growth potential in grassroots development and the increasing participation of male players. He praised the netball association’s efforts and commitment to the growth of the sport.
Carter reaffirmed GFF’s dedication to providing quality, affordable, and healthy protein sources for athletes in Fiji. He emphasized the importance of nurturing talent and supporting students aspiring to become future netball players, ensuring that even if they do not reach elite levels, they can still contribute significantly to the sport at the local level. The sponsorship aims to empower Netball Fiji to create opportunities for young sporting talents, assisting them in reaching their full potential as future representatives in netball.