The Wanderers netball club from Australia showcased their skills at the Salad Bowl Netball Festival in Sigatoka, marking their third visit to Fiji. Under the guidance of coach Marianna McKay, the team, made up of players from various parts of Australia who had previously not met, has rapidly united during the tour.
“We have 19 players forming two open teams, with ages starting at around 19 years. My role is to bring them together since they don’t know each other well. However, after a few games, they got accustomed to it. The weather has been quite favorable,” McKay stated.
The Wanderers have a history with Fiji, having visited before. They brought three junior teams to the country in December, which competed in Suva. McKay noted, “We came with three junior teams in December last year, and those teams played in Suva.”
The club has developed strong relationships with the Suva and Salad Bowl Netball Associations and has intentions to return next year. This visit transcended mere competition, as players engaged eagerly with the local culture, aiming to create lasting memories.
“The girls were really looking forward to today and experiencing everything Fiji has to offer,” McKay remarked.
As the Wanderers prepare to return to Australia next week, the success of their visits to Fiji reinforces the club’s connection to the region and their commitment to participating in local netball events in the future. Plans are already in place for their return next year.