The Lautoka Netball and Nadroga Netball Association held their separate 2024 club knockout tournament last weekend at the Lautoka Multipurpose court in Lautoka and Lawaqa park ground in Sigatoka.
The knockout tournament is an event set in place to determine the top teams within an association in order to map out each grades into pools in the main association club competition.
Lautoka Netball knockout tournament saw a total of 600 plus players from 50 club teams in Lautoka and including teams from Nadi.
The event comprised of age grade division from U9 – U15, Mens division, development, and premier division .
Lautoka Netball Association President, Dorothy Prasad emphasized that the highlight of the event was witnessing the continues growth in their club games over the years, Dorothy explained how expansion is an area their association are looking to tap more into.
Dorothy credit the young LNA committee for taking the initiative in engaging more clubs this year.
“We held our knockout competition today(Sat) and it was good to see a great turnout from our club teams including the teams from Nadi,” said Dorothy.
“The highlight of our competition is seeing the continue increase in numbers of teams, I thank the Lautoka Netball officials for the hardwork behind the scene in continuing to engage more teams and expand our competition.”
“Last year there were 32 teams competing and this year we’ve expanded to 50 teams.”
Dorothy is happy to see that the Mens division and the age grade division is continuing to rake in more interests from clubs teams around the area.
“We’ve notice an increase in participation in our mens category, our grassroots category is also expanding in numbers, from our U9, 11, 13, 15 and development.”
“Our new committee for Lautoka Netball comprise of more young individuals who’re very eager to grow our association and expand our competition, its been great as we’re all working together as a team to move Lautoka Netball forward, its our aim to work together as a team, added Dorothy.
Dorothy reiterated that all associations in the country needs to understand the important role they have in developing their players and expanding their association.
“I’ve been mentioning this in the past years that it is our job as an association to develop our players in order for them to be available and ready for selection to the national team, this is something we’re focusing on in Lautoka, the development our players, train them well, run quality competitions and prepare our players well in order for them to advance to next level which is national team selection.”
Shine on team clinched the trophy for the club knockout competition premier womens division while Tailevu won the men’s division.
LNA will commence their main club competition this weekend and will continue the season until August 17th.
