Suva Netball Association has moved into the 2026 season under a newly appointed committee and strengthened support structures, officials announced this week, setting the scene for a competitive year that begins in late May. Alumeci Sachs, part of the association’s coaching and development setup, said the association’s new leadership — president Koila and secretary Una Tawake — have already begun work with appointed coordinators to ensure the campaign runs smoothly.
Backing the duo are competition co‑ordinator Master Joshua and umpire co‑ordinator Filomena Korovulavula, roles Sachs said were prioritised to tighten scheduling and officiating across age groups and divisions. The association confirmed the 2026 calendar will open on May 23 with the Open Women’s and Men’s competitions, while junior fixtures start this Friday with the Angels under‑10 and under‑13 categories kicking off early rounds.
Sachs highlighted the depth of talent in the Suva system, estimating that roughly 90 percent of players in both the men’s and women’s divisions are national representatives — a figure she said reflects the strength of development pathways and coaching within the capital’s clubs. Last season’s participation figures underline that depth: Suva Netball recorded close to 98 teams across more than a dozen clubs, showing sustained growth at grassroots and competitive levels.
Clubs across the city have already ramped up preparations, with established sides such as CBM, Lomaiviti, Ablaze and Grasshoppers named among those expected to lead the title chase. Sachs said Suva is working to align with Netball Fiji’s recent reforms, including new zoning structures intended to bolster inter‑regional competition, and that the local committee is focused on ensuring players have consistent high‑quality match exposure.
Sustained corporate support remains a pillar for the association’s plans with New World again acknowledged for funding competitions and development programmes. That partnership, Sachs said, has been critical to maintaining league operations and junior development despite persistent infrastructure constraints.
Facility shortages remain the association’s biggest immediate challenge. Discussions are underway with the Fiji Sports Council to secure courts and venue availability for competitions planned to run from May through August. Longer‑term, Suva Netball is pursuing plans to develop dedicated netball facilities within the city, a project Sachs described as likely to take “a few years” from planning to completion given funding and site considerations.
As the season approaches, Sachs extended best wishes to schools and associations nationwide — including Nasinu, Nadi, Lautoka and Nadroga — as competitions get underway across Fiji. With a new committee in place, strengthened coordination roles and ongoing talks to lock in venues, Suva Netball is positioning itself to sustain its recent momentum while addressing the practical hurdles that come with rapid growth.