THE Fiji Pearls invitational side won 48-36 over the British Army invitational side in a friendly match at the Vodafone Arena in Suva yesterday.
Fiji led 13-9 at the end of the first quarter, a narrow 21-19 in the second, 35-27 in the third before the final score was reached at the end of the fourth.
Fiji Pearls invitational team manager Jofiliti Veikoso said the team blended in well in the midst of a short preparation period.
Part of the team’s ease into training mode was the team’s large composition of players from the Baby Pearls under-21 side that had recently participated at the 2025 World Netball Youth Cup in Gibraltar.
“We just had a very short time in preparation for this tournament, you know that the under-21 just came back from the (World Netball) Youth Cup in Gibraltar so the team make-up today (yesterday) was a mixture of under-21 girls and the Fiji Pearls,” Veikoso said.
Speaking on behalf of her British Army teammates, former Fiji Pearls player Alisi Nawele acknowledged the support of families and supporters and remarked how the friendly match had been a privilege for them.
“We are really happy to be here, really happy to be home.
“We are really happy, especially the three Fijian girls who are present today (yesterday),” Nawele said.
The three were defender Adi Vakaoca Bolakoro, assistant team manager Adi Maria Matau and herself – all former Fiji Pearls.
“We are really happy to bring the girls back home and play a little bit of netball.”
The friendly was organised by the Petero Civoniceva Foundation, which also engages with the Fiji Sports Commission and sporting bodies to host sporting events where athletes can showcase their talents through tournaments and competitions.
