THE Crest Fiji Secondary Schools Netball Championships got underway in Suva yesterday, providing an established pathway for identifying and developing players who could progress to the Fiji Pearls.
For new Pearls head coach Michelle Parsons, the tournament is an important part of that pathway as she looks to build a stronger connection between secondary schools netball and the national high-performance program.
Parsons watched the opening day at the Jay Narayan College grounds at Rewa St, Suva, and was encouraged by the level of talent on display.
“This is a really important pathway for netball,” Parsons said.
“We’re looking to introduce national development camps right across the country so we can develop girls in their regions, and then hopefully bring together a national team.”
The planned regional camps would complement the existing school pathway by giving talented players opportunities to continue their development in their respective regions before progressing into the national program.
Parsons said youth development would form part of the Pearls’ high-performance program, placing greater emphasis on identifying players early and giving them a clear route towards the national team.
Her assessment of the opening day was encouraging.
She was impressed by the girls’ ball skills, their ability to take strong catches, maintain their balance and create opportunities for long-range shots.
But Parsons is looking for more than technical ability.
The national coach wants young players to develop the confidence to make decisions, express themselves and play with freedom.
“What I’m really excited about looking at though is how people play.
“We don’t want them to be programmed, we want them to play with some freedom and really enjoy the game that they’re playing.”
Parsons believes the competition will provide a valuable gauge of the players’ development as it progresses, with the later stages expected to reveal more about their composure and consistency under pressure.
And with her plans for youth development extending beyond the championship, Parsons wants the girls to understand the opportunity in front of them.
“Think big and be courageous,” she said.
“This is the place where it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them, but this is where you fall in love with the game.”
For the players, the championship remains a fight for school honours.
For Parsons, it is also an important part of the established journey from secondary schools netball towards the Fiji Pearls.
