The Wanderers netball club from Australia made a strong impact at the Salad Bowl Netball Festival in Sigatoka yesterday, marking their third visit to Fiji. Under the guidance of coach Marianna McKay, the team comprises players from various parts of Australia, many of whom were meeting for the first time during this tour.
Despite the initial lack of familiarity, the team has quickly formed a cohesive unit under McKay’s leadership. “We’ve got 19 players to form two open teams, with ages starting from around 19. My role is to bring them together even though they didn’t know each other beforehand, but after a few games, they got accustomed to each other. The weather has been quite favorable,” she explained.
The Wanderers have a deep-rooted connection with Fiji, having previously toured the nation, making them well-acquainted with local competition. “We brought three junior teams in December last year, and they played in Suva,” McKay added.
The club has established strong relationships with both the Suva and Salad Bowl Netball Associations and has plans to return next year. However, this tour was not solely focused on competition; the players were enthusiastic about immersing themselves in the local culture and creating lasting memories. “The girls were really looking forward to experiencing everything Fiji has to offer,” she noted.
As the Wanderers prepare to return to Australia next week, the success of their tours in Fiji continues to strengthen their ties to the region and their commitment to participating in local netball events. The Australian team is already looking forward to their return next year.