The Salad Bowl netball festival is set to expand next year by adding rugby and volleyball to its activities. Judy Kumar, the president of Salad Bowl netball, made the announcement after this year’s festival attracted 36 teams competing in netball.
“Next year, we’ll introduce rugby and volleyball, and we’re looking to invite teams from Australia to compete against Western teams,” Kumar stated. The initiative aims to provide local teams with more opportunities for competition and skill development.
“It’s not just about winning cash, but about giving development teams the chance to grow,” she emphasized. This year’s event included 12 Under-15 teams, 16 Open Grade teams, and 8 men’s teams, with the planned expansion expected to make the 2025 festival even larger.
Kumar also expressed gratitude toward the sponsors who contributed to the event’s success. She thanked Coastal Rentals, Salad Bowl Island Hire for covering facility costs, KBL Buses, and Jay Whyte from Sigatoka River Safari for their generous sponsorship of cash prizes for the Under-15 grade and the two standout players. Additionally, she acknowledged the Fiji Sports Council for providing the venue.