A total of 30 age-grade players have been inducted into the inaugural Netball Fiji Academy Programme.
The Netball Fiji Academy programme is an initiative to develop upcoming Netball prospects from all across the country. The 30 new academy players were selected after a one-day training camp where 94 age grade players from all over Fiji displayed their ball handling, foot work and passing skills for National selectors.
The Academy programme includes high performance training camps and a series of workshops on strength and conditioning, player development, and leadership to name a few.
The main idea is to develop and build a strong pool of players within the Netball Fiji Academy which will also be a feeder to National teams’ selection.
The focus not only rests on upcoming players’ development, but also on grassroots netball engagements, and building on the caliber of domestic netball competition.
Netball Fiji CEO Ms. Vivian Koster stated, “This is an exciting time for Netball! We were thrilled to see all the talent on display during the one-day camp, and the selectors had a hard time selecting the 2 squads.”
“The Netball Academy is not only about players but also building our officials. We had a different set of selectors at the recent national championship looking at coaches and managers that Netball Fiji could develop further through the Academy. Our Umpires Manager and our Technical (Bench) Officials Manager have also put forward people to undertake development too,” Koster added.
The first Netball Academy camp will be on Saturday 19th November at the Vodafone Arena from 8am to 5pm.
See below the players and officials of the inaugural NETBALL FIJI NATIONAL ACADEMY.
| 16 & U National Academy | 18 & U National Academy | ||
| SHOOTERS | SHOOTERS | ||
| 1 | KELERA WAQAIRAWAI | 1 | NINA NAKULA |
| 2 | LEBA COCKER | 2 | LUSIANA ULUITOGA |
| 3 | ALISI BOLAKORO | 3 | TULIANA SEVEIKAU |
| 4 | LITIA RATUDRADRA | 4 | ALITI VUNIVALU |
| 5 | TORIKA QOVU | 5 | GRACE GONELEVU |
| CENTER COURT | CENTER COURT | ||
| 6 | VIRISITA KAUNILOLOMA | 6 | LUTU VANANALAGI |
| 7 | ANATOLIA NUKU | 7 | ADI LANIETA MOCEITUBA |
| 8 | BULOU VASEMACA NAIVANAWALU | 8 | SERA NAMOSIMALUA |
| 9 | TOKASA TUISOVIVI | 9 | VANI RATUDRADRA |
| 10 | ALISI NEISULU | 10 | ADI VASITI RAGIGIA |
| DEFENDERS | DEFENDERS | ||
| 11 | SILIVIA MCCOMBER | 11 | VARANISESE VULA |
| 12 | VUTAELI TOKADUADUA | 12 | YVONNE NALEWABAU |
| 13 | FLORENCE KIKAU | 13 | LYDIA TAVESIVESI |
| 14 | ARIETA VUSONA | 14 | ROKULA VUGONA |
| 15 | HANNAH MATAVESI | 15 | ESIVORO ADI |
Coaches
| Josua Qalo | Fiji Secondary Schools |
| Iliseva Drasuna | Lautoka |
| Alesi Waqa | Nasinu |
| Anasimeci Rakavosa | Suva |
| Jioeli Vakamoce | Fiji Men’s |
Managers
| Myron Williams | Fiji Men’s |
| Kelera Degei | Suva |
| Raijieli Delaivuna | Ra |
| Elesi Wati Tuinasaqalau | Nasinu |
| Alisi Logavatu | Lautoka |
| Semi Vakarewa | Lautoka |
Umpires
| Sofia Babale | Nasinu |
| Akariva Raidre | Lautoka |
| Ana Tolia | Suva |
| Taina Rokotuiloma | Nasinu |
Bench Officials
| Courtney Bitu | Nasinu |
| Ilisapeci Moritikei | Tailevu |
| Teresia Turagbeci | Nasinu |
| Meli Rauluni | Suva |
| Akisi Bolakoro | Suva |
| Vitalina Lalawa | Suva |
