The Salad Bowl netball festival is set to broaden its scope next year by incorporating rugby and volleyball into its program. Judy Kumar, the president of Salad Bowl netball, announced this expansion after the successful festival held this year, which saw 36 teams participating in netball competitions.
“Next year, we will introduce rugby and volleyball, and we are aiming to invite teams from Australia to compete against Western teams,” Kumar stated. The initiative aims to provide local teams with more opportunities for growth and competition.
“It’s not solely about winning cash; it’s about providing development teams with opportunities to advance,” Kumar further emphasized. This year’s festival included 12 Under-15 teams, 16 Open Grade teams, and 8 men’s teams, with the upcoming expansion expected to make the 2025 event even more significant.
Kumar also expressed gratitude towards the sponsors who contributed to the success of this year’s festival. “A big thanks to Coastal Rentals, Salad Bowl Island Hire for covering facility costs, KBL Buses, and Jay Whyte from Sigatoka River Safari for their generous support, especially for providing cash prizes for the Under-15 grade and the two best players,” she remarked. Additionally, she thanked the Fiji Sports Council for their assistance in providing the venue.