The pool stage of the Crest Fiji Primary School Netball Tournament has finished, with top teams from each grade booked into the knockout rounds that will be held at Subrail Park in Labasa. Organisers confirmed quarter-final places across the under-9 to under-14 divisions, setting the scene for an intense elimination phase as schools from around the country chase district and tournament honours.
In the under-9 grade Nadroga were the standout, finishing unbeaten to top Pool A with eight points and secure their spot in the quarter-finals. They will be joined from the other pools by Nadi Giants (Pool B), Nasinu Celeste (Pool C), Suva Libra (Pool D), Lautoka Maroons and Cakau Sharks (Pool E) and Nadi Jets and Lautoka Gold (Pool F) who all progressed after completing the pool stage at the head of their groups.
The under-10 competition produced several strong finishes, with Cakau Tagimoucia and Kadavu sharing top honours in Pool A and Navosa leading Pool B. Lautoka Maroons, Cakau Sharks and Suva Libra were among other pool winners to advance, while Labasa Mystics finished on top of Pool F to secure their place in the last-eight stage.
Under-11 pools also supplied familiar names to the quarter-finals: Lautoka Maroons topped Pool A, Nasinu Celeste led Pool B and Cakau Tagimoucia emerged on top in Pool C. Kadavu edged Pool D and Navosa led Pool E. Pool F saw Nadroga and Suva Libra finish level on points and both teams moved through to the knockouts after the pool stage concluded.
The under-12 field saw Kadavu top Pool A and Lautoka Gold lead Pool B. Pool D ended with Nadi Giants and Labasa Mystics sharing the top spot, while Suva Velvet, Suva Orchid and Suva Libra also secured qualification by topping their respective pools. In under-13, Nasinu Celeste, Lautoka Gold and Nadi Jets were among the teams that finished strongly to progress, with Cakau Sharks, Lautoka Maroons, Nadi Giants, Suva Orchid and Kadavu also advancing.
The under-14 grade was highlighted by Suva Orchid’s dominance in Pool A. Other pool winners progressing to the quarter-finals include Cakau Pearls (Pool B), Serua (Pool C), Lautoka Maroons (Pool D), Namosi Blues (Pool E), Tailevu (Pool F) and Cakau Tagimoucia (Pool G). Pool H produced a tie, with Navosa and Cakau Sharks finishing level and both moving through to the elimination rounds.
Primary Schools Netball president Sisilia Cokanauto said the standard across all grades had been high, praising the intensity and determination shown by players throughout the pool stage. With local rivalries and district pride on display, Cokanauto noted, teams will now shift their focus to the knockout format where single-game margins will determine who advances and who goes home.
Organisers have confirmed the quarter-finals will take place at Subrail Park, Labasa, where the remaining fixtures in each age group will be played as the tournament moves into elimination mode. Teams now prepare for do-or-die matches as the competition narrows toward semi-finals and finals in the coming rounds.