BEING part of the British Army invitational team to play against the Fiji Pearls invitational side was a massive privilege for former Pearls player Alisi Nawele.
Nawele is currently serving in the British Army and was part of its invitational side that played in a friendly match at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on Saturday.
The Pearls won 48-36.
She shared how coming back home, this time with her teammates, was an extraordinary opportunity for her.
“To be honest, we are really glad to have this opportunity to come back home, I don’t think the British Army netball team has ever been home (Fiji) compared to the rugby team,” Nawele said, referring to their male counterparts that came over in July. The rugby team had faced a team from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) as a curtain-raiser match ahead of the Test match between the FIJI Water Flying Fijians and Scotland. The visitors lost 31-50.
“So, to have this opportunity and to be here and to bring the girls back home to come and have a great match with the Fiji Bulls under 21, it’s really a big privilege,” she added. Meanwhile, Nawele has been part of the British Army since joining it in October 2003 and is based in the south of England.
She highlighted her teammates were involved in different specialities within the service, like her role as an accountant.
Nawele was one of three Fijians part of the invitational team, the others being fellow Fiji Pearls players Adi Vakaoca Bolakoro and Adi Maria Matau, who was the team’s assistant manager.
