The 21& Under extended squad con4nues to prepare themselves for when new 21&U headcoach Simone Nalatu arrives into the country on the 22nd February.
Coach Nalatu, a former Fiji Pearls player, will be looking at a wide player selec4on base with over 49 poten4al players from the Na4onal Academy program being part of the 21&U extended squad.
The extended squad have twice trained together this year, and had a fitness test on Saturday to give Nalatu baseline measurements of the squad. Athletes have also trained either individually or in small groups to ensure that they are prepared and are able to impress the 21&U Coach.
Netball Fiji CEO Ms Vivian Koster said, “We are happy with the calibre of athlete we have in the Academy. These athletes have shown tenacity and a willingness to work hard. This came through in their fitness tes4ng that was conducted last weekend.”
Ms Koster said that the extended squad will need to be on top of their fitness before head coach Nalatu takes over on 23rd February.
“We’ll need these players to be on top of their fitness before coach Nalatu arrives into the country and conducts her first training session.”
Ms Koster added that coach Nalatu will work with the extended squad and will con4nue to cut down the squad un4l the final squad is announced.
“All these young prospects have the poten4al to be elite netball players, and they’ve all gone through a high performance program, but they will have to earn their spot in the final squad.”
“We are grateful to the Fiji Rugby high performance strength and condi4oning team that guided the athletes through their fitness test on Saturday, and look forward to working wth them again.”
