Two former Fiji Pearls players, Simone Nalatu and Marji Parr, who will lead their respective teams in the upcoming Netball Fiji Quad Series, have both expressed their teams’ excitement about experiencing the local culture and competing against local talents.
Scheduled to commence on 11th October at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, the Quad Series will feature Sunshine Coast Thunder, South Coast Blaze, and the Fiji Pearls.
Simone Nalatu will be coaching the Sunshine Coast Thunder while Marji Parr will coach the South Coast Blaze to the Quad Series where they will play the Fiji Pearls.
Nalatu, originally from Dakuni, Beqa, was a member of the Fiji Pearls during the 2007 Netball World Championships. Athleticism runs in her family, as her father, Kiniviliame Nalatu, represented Fiji in rugby, and her mother, Faith Nalatu, in hockey. Nalatu also played for the Queensland Firebirds from 2004 to 2007.
Marji Parr played for the Fiji Pearls from 2003 to 2007 and boasts an impressive playing career with two World Cup appearances. Parr has progressed through the Netball NSW coaching pathway and is now an elite coach, coaching at the Opens Level in the NNSW Origin Energy Premier League.
Nalatu expressed her excitement about Sunshine Coast Thunder’s upcoming trip to Fiji to compete against the Fiji Pearls in the Quad Series. She shared her team’s anticipation of a once- in-a-lifetime experience when they visit the Fijian shores.
“Sunshine Coast Thunder are so excited to be travelling to Fiji next week, we enjoyed hosting the Pearls when they played on the Sunny Coast in 2022 as part of the AusPac series, our team have heard the stories about Lightnings tour last year so they feel so grateful they are coming to experience this themselves,” Nalatu said.
“It’s an opportunity to play internationally which some players have never experienced and for some players they may never experience again.”
Marji Parr of South Coast Blaze expressed her team’s gratitude for the opportunity to play in Fiji and for the chance to immerse themselves in the local culture.
“Not only are the girls competing in a three day tournament, they’re going to be seeing parts of the community,” said Parr.
“They’ll get the opportunity to work with some international players and coaching staff whilst enjoying the Fijian environment and culture during the international week of Fiji Day.”
