Rabitu prepares Lautoka for IDC

THE Lautoka Men’s and Mixed Netball Association has secured the services of former national rep Taina Rabitu to help the team prepare for the Fiji Men’s and Mix Netball Association Inter District Championship at the National Netball Centre in Suva tomorrow.

Rabitu is no stranger to netball coaching in the country guiding the Fiji Men’s Under-23 team at the 2004 International Men’s and Mixed Netball Challenge Cup,.

She was also the coach of the Fiji women’s U23 team before being named in December 2009 to take charge of the national team for the 2010 Pacific Series along with Unaisi Rokoura.

Rabitu is now based in Queensland, Australia, and is the coach of the Mackay U13, U15 and open grade teams.

She said netball was one of the main sports in Queensland.

Rabitu said the lack of proper facilities has been the major factor affecting the development of the sport in Fiji.

“When I first I arrived where I reside in Mackay, there were eight courts,” Rabitu said.

“Now they have up graded the facilities and there are 16 courts. For netball we need more facilities in Fiji especially in Lautoka where there is a huge amount of talent.

“There are lots of young players who are coming up. But it is a pity to see the school students still playing on grass courts.”

Rabitu expressed disappointment with Fiji’s performance at the Netball World Cup in England in July where the side finished in 14th position

She said more development was needed especially for the players in Western Division in terms of a pathway into the national team.

Vilimaina Davu, Mere Rabuka, Afa Rusivakula, Alanieta Evans, Rejieli Daurewa, Sala Drasuna, Sai Khalik, Lavenia Panapasa, Sisi Howard and Leba Dolobula are some of the big names from the Western Division who have represented Fiji.

Lautoka will defend the U23 and mixed categories during the IDC.