Netball Fiji is proud to announce Dr. Simone Nalatu as Coach and Ms. Lusiana Nasedra Rakavono as Manager of the Fiji Netball 21 & Under Team.
The Fiji 21 & Under team will be competing in the Netball World Youth Cup Oceania Qualifier in Cook Islands in September and in the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibralata in 2025.
Simone Nalatu hails from Dakuni, Beqa. She is the daughter of the late Kiniviliame Nalatu who was a former Fiji Rugby Union player and former Fiji Hockey representative Faith Nalatu (nee Valentine).
Nalatu is a former Fiji Pearl who competed at two World Cups in 2007 (Auckland) and 2011 (Singapore). She is also a former Queensland Firebird who has played all of her senior netball in Queensland and Australia.
Upon retiring from playing in 2011, Nalatu took on coaching roles in the Netball Queensland state league competitions and for the Queensland 17 and under and Queensland 19 and under teams between 2017 and 2023. She has also coached at the Australian Netball Championships (and former Australian National League) for both Netball Queensland and more recently the Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts.
Nalatu is currently the head coach for the Sunshine Coast Thunder which competes in the Hart Sapphires Series in Queensland.
Lusiana Nasedra Rakavono is from Naqara, Waima, Naitasiri. She played county –level netball in Kent, United Kingdom before migrating back to Fiji in 2014.
Rakavono has both coached and managed club and district teams in the Suva and Nasinu Netball Associations. She also coached the Digicel Flames in the Digicel Punjas Reset Championship and the Fiji 21U Selection team against Singapore in 2022.
Rakavono managed the 2023 National Academy 17&U squad and the 17&U team in the end-of-year Academy Tournament.
In mid-February, Nalatu, who is based in Brisbane, will be in Fiji. All athletes that competed in the Academy Tournament will regroup for a fitness test and skills training with Nalatu, date to be confirmed and communicated.
