Born to play
FORMER RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER IN NETBALLL SQUAD
YOU could call Serena Nasau an all-rounder.
From rugby league and now to netball, she has played at the top level locally.
Yesterday, the 26-year-old was named in the 12-member Fiji Pearls squad to the 2022 Nations Cup in Singapore from December 4-10.
The Fiji Pearls will be up against Botswana, Ireland, Singapore and a Singapore A side, competing in a in a round-robin format at the OCBC Arena.
Leading the Pearls will be Corrections officer Vaiti Waqatabu.
Nasau played for the Yasawa Saints rugby league team earlier this year and was chosen to lead the Western Maroons team in the first-ever women’s Vanua State of Origin challenge.
Last week, she was captained the Barbarian Sisters side to win
■ the netball competition during 15th Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s carnival on Taveuni.
Playing as a defender, she helped her team to win after a close match against the Western Mariners.
Nasau said to become a national player in any sport; you must work hard and sacrifice a lot.
“You are expected to perform to your best and as a national player you must lead by example,” she said when interviewed
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on Taveuni last week.
“The more game time I have the more I improve and work on my weaknesses.”
She will be hoping to emulate that on the court during the Nations Cup which returns after a two-year hiatus.
Netball Fiji chief executive officer Vivian Koster said they were honoured to be competing in the Nations Cup again.
“We have done so for a number of years and it provides valuable match play for the Fiji Pearls, especially in the lead up to the World Cup in 2023,” she said.
“We thank Netball Singapore for the continued partnership.”
The Pearls, coached by Unaisi Rokoura, depart for Singapore on Saturday.
Unaisi Rauluni (VC), Matila Vocea, Lydia Panapasa, Jimaima Kete, Elina Drikibau, Vaiti Waqatabu (C), Ledua Waqa, Alisi Galo, Navinya Sivo, Merelita Waqanidrola, Reama Verekauta, Sereana Maragi.