Toe the line, or get out

ROKOURA WARNS SENIOR PEARLS PLAYERS

FIJI Pearls head coach Unaisi Rokoura has sent a warning to squad members to toe line or face dismissal.

This follows a poor turnout of senior players during the preseason program at the Vodafone Arena in Laucala Bay, Suva yesterday.

Netball Fiji has started with its first 2023 training along with the third Netball Academy Camp.

Rokoura said she was disappointed with the turnout of Fiji

Pearls squad members since it was their first pre-season training for the new year.

This is an important year for the Pearls with the PacificAus Netball Series in April, and the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa in June.

“We were supposed to regroup today (yesterday) and the numbers were not satisfying,” she said.

“If players don’t turn up, that is a clear indication that they are not interested or don’t want to be part of this campaign.

“So we’re going forth with what we have and the great thing is that we will start with the academy. To see a good number of academy players present following on from their last test is a positive sign.

“It’s a very important year in terms of the Fiji Pearls program; it’s a World Cup year.”

Recapping on their performance last year, Rokoura said it was not satisfying.

“Honestly it wasn’t the performance we expected and I know we are trying to rebuild the players, but right now as we build for this year it’s important we get in the right players.

“Players with the right mindset, right attitude and who will support us in terms of our goal for the World Cup.”

She said when players do not turn up for training, it showed on their performance during a tournament.

“In the past we’ve been chasing players, trying to get them to come and train.

“It’s the attitude that affects the performance but now with the set of players that we have both local and overseas, we’re sending out a warning that if you do not adhere to the activities or responsibilities given to you, you can be replaced.

“I have set my eyes on two young players who are in the academy program; we can always bring them up and drill them to be ready.

“If you want to be part of the netball squad, you should make an effort and show us that you want it.”

As it is a World Cup year, Netball Fiji has a combination of activities planned including a major squad camp from January 21-29, and a specialist defensive camp in February.