Former reps boost netball bid

NETBALL Fiji has named former national reps Anasimeci Rakavosa and Iliseva Drasuna as the assistant coaches for the 21&U team gearing up for the highly anticipated Netball World Youth Cup next year.

Both coaches, with their wealth of experience, bring valuable insights to their roles having recently taken on roles as national academy coaches.

Drasuna, who oversees the 17&U academy, and Rakavosa, who mentors the 19&U academy, are no strangers to the netball scene.

Drasuna previously served as the assistant coach for the Fiji 21&U team during their 2022 clash against Singapore.

Notably, she also assisted Kate Carpenter for the Fiji Pearls Team in the 2015 Digicel Punjas International Series against PNG and Singapore.

Drasuna’s journey in netball dates to her playing days, representing Fiji 21&U in 2004 against New Zealand’s under-21 side.

Hailing from Ovalau, Rakavosa boasts an impressive playing background, having donned the Fiji Pearls jersey in 2007.

Her commitment to the sport extends beyond the court as she actively contributes to Netball Fiji’s development initiatives, organising netball clinics nationwide.

Rakavosa’s dedication to the coaching platform was underscored by her participation in the Global Coach Conference (GCC) held in Singapore last year, where she engaged with leading coaching development experts.

As they join head coach Simone Nalatu, the duo is set to spearhead Fiji’s campaign in the upcoming Netball World Youth Cup Oceania Qualifier in Cook Islands this September.

Their collaborative efforts will continue as they guide the team through the challenges of the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar next year.

With their combined expertise and passion for the sport, Rakavosa and Drasuna are poised to elevate Fiji’s netball prowess on the global stage.