POSITIVE START 2020
NETBALL FIJI PREPS UNDERWAY, BSP STEPS IN TO ASSIST.
It’s a positive start for Netball Fiji, says Pacific Sports Partnership country coordinator, Unaisi Rokoura. Netball Fiji held its first train session, since it got accredited, for the national and Under-21 squad members yesterday.
The former national rep and coach was impressed with the attendance.
After three months of non-active sports, Rokoura said, it was great to see the girls back on the court. “We are glad that we have to get back to a new start,” he said.
“We did a fitness test with the national squad two weeks ago. For us to design their training programme and for the girls to know where they are in terms of fitness. “We are impressed with the turnout. In the morning, we had the under-21 and under-18s and we really had an impressive turnout,” she said.
“We got about 32 girls from under-21 and the under-18s development squad as well.”
She added that Netball Fiji development staff are working hard to prepare the Fijian Pearls as the coaching positions are still under discussions.
“We got all hands on deck, to help rebuild Netball Fiji especially with the players who we are looking at holistically.
“Some of the under-21 girls were a bit short with the training this morning, they know that is expected of them at this level.
“We have started with the national squad and the importance of making that commitment. “Netball Fiji is taking a new pathway and will look at committed players.
“We have one goal, we looking at players holistically and whoever wants to come in and join this path we taking have to understand we taking a new approach and it starts now.”
The U21 and U18 are building-up for the World Youth Netball Championship that will be held in Suva next year.
“There are about four to five under-21 girls who are in the national squad, that’s a great step for them. “That is what we want to do, we want to encourage under-21 players that are to be part of the Pearls squad, to know the fitness that is expected of them.
“Some of them were really shocked with the intensity, most of them are doing this training for the very first time.
“We want them to experience this.”
Improve rankings, netters told
Meanwhile, NF received timely assistance at its national training camp at the Vodafone Arena in Suva yesterday.
Bank South Pacific (BSP) Head of SME Banking Rohit Sharma handed over 60 netball balls on behalf of Country Head Haroon Ali.
“Netball Fiji is very grateful to BSP for responding to the call for assistance,” stated NF in a press release.
BSP has reinvested over $10 million back to the communities in Fiji through community projects and sponsorships.
“Netball Fiji is proud to be associated with a bank that supports its community.”
Sharma reminded the U21 and national squad members that the sport aims to build its reputation as a national sport.
He said the onus was on the players to build on the legacy of Netball Fiji in achieving and improving its international ranking.
Follow safety guidelines
NF council members from Lautoka, Nadroga West, Suva, Tailevu, Lomaiviti, Nasinu, Fiji Secondary and Fiji Primary Schools met at the VIP Lounge of the Vodafone Arena, Suva, yesterday.
The meeting was on Zoom as members discuss the ‘Netball Ready Plan’ after receiving their accreditation from the Fiji National Sports Commission last week. NF president, RubyAnn Sorovaki was pleased with the opportunity to talk with the council presidents and discuss the importance of a safe return to netball.
The discussions centered on the onus now being on district officials to follow guidelines once they return to netball.