The Wanderers netball club from Australia showcased a remarkable performance at the Salad Bowl Netball Festival in Sigatoka yesterday, marking their third visit to Fiji.
Under the leadership of coach Marianna McKay, the team is composed of players from various regions of Australia, many of whom previously had not met before this tour. Despite the initial unfamiliarity, the team quickly bonded under McKay’s guidance.
“We have 19 players forming two open teams, with the age starting around 19. My role is to unite them since they haven’t known each other; however, after a few games, they got accustomed to playing together. The weather has also been quite favorable,” McKay stated.
The Wanderers enjoy a longstanding connection with Fiji, having toured the country before and are familiar with the local competition. “We came with three junior teams in December last year, and those teams participated in matches in Suva,” McKay noted.
The club has established strong ties with both the Suva and Salad Bowl Netball Associations and has plans to return next year. This latest tour, however, was not solely focused on competition. The players were eager to immerse themselves in the local culture and create lasting memories.
“The girls were really looking forward to yesterday and experiencing all that Fiji has to offer,” she added.
As the Wanderers prepare to return to Australia next week, the success of their tours in Fiji has only reinforced the club’s commitment to maintaining its connections in the region and continuing its participation in local netball events. They intend to come back next year.