In 2024, Netball Fiji witnessed exceptional growth and continuous expansion in participation within the sport. Close collaboration with affiliated district member associations, the Fiji Sports Commission, and Pacific Aus Sports, major sponsors and alongside our dedicated coach developers, development officers, and other stakeholders, Netball Fiji perseveres in
promoting and advancing the game across the nation.
Netball Fiji would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors whose support continues to drive the growth of the sport in Fiji. All our sponsors have remained steadfast pillars of support for Netball in Fiji, FinanceHub continues to support Netball Fiji’s premier competition the Super League, while GoodmanFielder jumps onboard this year to sponsor the Secondary Schools
tournament and the Fiji Men’sd Singapore campaign, while Fiji Sun continues to serve as our media partner.
January
Netball Fiji began the year roping in Baby Pearls new head coach Dr. Simone Nalatu and Ms. Lusiana Nasedra Rakavono as Manager of the Fiji Netball 21 & Under Team. The selection was the first stage of the Baby Pearls Netball World Youth Cup campaign in Gibraltar in 2025. Baby Pearls held their first athlete regroup for 2024 on the 21st January.
February
Netball Fiji Successfully held its Annual General Meeting on 25th February. Among the key agenda on the AGM was the election of Fiji Netball Association President and Executive Committee. Netball Fiji President Mrs. RubyAnn Sorovaki was reelected for
another four years.
March
Through the support of PacificAus Sports , Netball Australia with partnership with Netball Fiji organised a three days coaching workshop. The program provided an opportunity for our National pathway coaches to learn from highly credentialed Australian netball coaches during the three-day workshop.
April
Netball Fiji Appoints former Fiji Pearl and national academy coach Anasimeci Rakavosa as Netball Fiji Sports Development Coordinator.
May
Netball Fiji hosts the All Stars Netball Series as a preparation platform for Fiji Pearls and Baby Pearls ahead of their international campaigns. The All-Stars Netball Series provided a much needed game time and exposure to the players while coaches also test their game plan and strategies. The five-day tournament commenced on Thursday 9th May showcased exhilarating netball matches and provided high-level game time experience for the National 21&U squad.
Netball Fiji rolled out a new Technical Officials manual by organizing a netball bench officials workshop on 7th May at Vodafone Arena. The workshop was to update the local bench officials with the 2024 World Netball technical officials manual Netball Fiji continues its development outreach in the Northern division with a development workshop being held in Labasa 24-25th May. The development workshop was led by Netball Fiji Sports Development Coordinator, Anasimeci Rakavosa, alongside
national umpires manager, Losalini Bainivalu, and technical officials manager, Courtney Bitu. The Northern division netball workshop was focused on coaching, umpiring, and technical officiating.
June
Netball Fiji host associations presidential meeting on June 10th where they discussed the 2024 FinanceHub Super League season. Netball Fiji commenced its second season of the FinanceHub Super League from the 29th of June. The 2024 season included four new teams into the competition. The Nadi netball team, Tailevu and the two National U21 teams have been added to the 2024 FinanceHub Super League.
August
Netball Fiji recognises the continued expansion in district club netball as the Western Rally continues to host more teams. Western Rally Club competition saw a total of 67 teams from the western division with over 468 players taking part in the Western Rally Club competition in Lautoka over the weekend. The competition comprised a total of 147 matches, teams coming in from Navosa, Nadroga, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Vatukaloko.
Goodman Fielder Fiji has jumped onboard to partner with the Fiji Netball Association in sponsoring the Fiji Secondary Schools Netball Championship. The Crest Chicken Fiji Secondary Schools Netball Finals proved to be a successful grassroots campaign. Crest Chicken Fiji Secondary School Netball Finals featured 132 teams, over three days at the FMFGymnasium,National Netball Centre and LICI Multipurpose Court in Suva. The tournament this year is one of the most competitive events of Fiji Secondary Schools Netball Finals.
Rising Stars Series
Netball Fiji hosted Australia, Singapore and New zealand 21 & U for a five days of competition. The competition prepared the team for the Oceania Qualifier.
Fiji Netball Association Awarded Best Sporting Organisation of the year Netball Fiji was awarded the 2023 Sport Organisation of the Year at the Fiji Sports Awards on Saturday 31st August, at the Vodafone Arena, Suva. Netball Fiji CEO Vivian Koster
received the award on behalf of the Organisation.
September
Baby Pearls gained much needed exposure and experience at Oceania Qualifier that was held in Cook Island from 18-21 September. The Baby Pearls finished in fourth place at the Oceania Qualifier, however, they have automatically qualified for the World Youth Cup in Gibraltar.
Aotearoa Maori 21&U Tour
The Fiji 21&U Squad members competedin a3-matchseries against the touring Aotearoa Maori Netball Team at the FNU Gymnasium on28th September. The Squad is divided into a Fiji 18 & Under team and a Fiji 19 & Over team. Fiji 21&U Squad to play Aotearoa Maori Netball Team.
October
After 6 months of intense competition, the FinanceHub Super League entered its final stage as Suva Swift’s IGA took on Lautoka Stars for the 2024 Grand Finale. Suva Swifts proved too strong for the ladies from sugar city, Suva retained the Super League Title while Lautoka came in second place.
Netball Fiji Staff attends a Finance and Leadership workshop in Brisbane on 8th October Netball Fiji staff including CEO Vivian Koster, Finance Administrator Amit Singh and Logistics and Administration Coordinator Kinisalote Drasuna attended the 3 days
workshop. The workshop was an introduction to a finance software system that will make finance governance easier for the netball federations, while the Leadership workshop allowed the CEOs of the federations to discuss current and future plans for the sport.
November
Fiji Pearls extended squad regroups for their first off season training on 26th November as head coach UnaRokouraselects top players from 2024 FinanceHub Super League and Netball Fiji’s affiliated districts club competition.
December
Crest Fiji Men’s claims 2024 Men’s Netball Nations Series in Singapore on 9th December
The Crest Fiji Men’s Netball Team made history by winning the 2024 Men’s Netball Nations Series Merlion Cup after defeating Australia 20&U in the final 55– 54 at the Jurong East Sports Complex in Singapore. This victory marks the first-ever international men’s netball tournament win for Fiji.
Ongoing Growth and Development:
Our commitment to expanding Netball across various communities remains steadfast. This includes nurturing interests, developing umpires, technical officials, and coaches. Collaborative efforts with Pacific Aus Sport and Fiji Sports Commission aim to offer continuous upskilling opportunities for all involved in our sport. Looking ahead to 2025, our focus remains on fostering excellence, expanding horizons, and elevating the standards of Netball in our country.
