The National 21 and under Baby Pearls side will get more high-level game time with Netball Fiji to host a Rising Stars Fiji 21 under tour.
The tournament is set to take place at the Vodafone Arena, in Suva from August 19-23.
It will be a crucial preparation platform for the Baby Pearls ahead of the Oceania World Youth Cup Qualifier in Cook Islands in September.
Current World Youth Cup champion New Zealand, runners-up Australia, and Singapore will be part of the tournament.
Netball Fiji chief executive Vivian Koster emphasised the importance of this tour for the Baby Pearls.
“It’s an important preparation for our Baby Pearls as they will be playing the World Youth Cup champ and the runner-up, it gives them that exposure as they prepare for the qualifier in September,” she said while speaking to Netball Fiji media.
Australia 21 and under head coach Cathy Fellows who was also a specialist defence coach for the Fiji Pearls to the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, expressed her enthusiasm for the tour.
“I am very excited about the opportunity for this group of selected athletes to get exposure to international competition as part of 2025 Netball World Youth Cup preparations.”
The five-day tournament will also provide valuable competition experience for the national 21 and under teams ahead of the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup.
The four countries will take part in match play across the week to foster international connections and prepare players for elite competition.
Athletes will also take part in community engagement and cultural exchanges across the week.
The Baby Pearls will be comprised of the two 21 and under teams currently participating in Netball Fiji’s premier annual tournament — FinanceHub Super League competition.
