The Crest Fiji Pearls are proving the future of Fiji netball is in capable hands, with six debutants proudly wearing the national dress at the inaugural Spirit Series in Sydney.
Esther Dawai, Leehava Saverio, Ana Tolia Nuku, Vutaeli Tokaduadua, Eseta Waqaira and Nanise Waqaira have all earned their first international caps, marking a significant milestone in their netball journeys.
Although Fiji opened the tournament with a spirited 53-47 loss to Singapore on Wednesday, the young Pearls showed composure and determination beyond their experience. Having trained together for just three weeks under new head coach Michelle Parsons, the side matched Singapore for much of the contest before the experienced opponents capitalised on defensive pressure. Fiji responded strongly to win the final quarter by five goals, highlighting the team’s fighting spirit.
Parsons, who took charge of the Fiji Pearls last month, said the Spirit Series was about much more than results.
“We’re building something that goes beyond one tournament. Every quarter, every combination and every challenge gives us information that helps shape the future of the Crest Fiji Pearls. The effort and commitment from this group has been outstanding, and while the scoreboard matters, our focus is on creating a team that can consistently compete with the world’s best.”
Newly appointed Netball Fiji TOC- chairperson Vasiti Vugakoto described the Spirit Series as the beginning of a new era for the Crest Fiji Pearls.
“This is a new beginning for the Crest Fiji Pearls and for Netball Fiji. We have 4 newly appointed TOC members, a new head coach, and a young team that has only been together for a three weeks. We are rebuilding after a long period without consistent international competition, and rebuilding takes time,” she said.
Vugakoto urged supporters to remain patient as the program continues its rebuild.
“We ask our supporters not to judge this team solely on wins and losses. You cannot build Rome in a day. Our vision, our leadership and our direction are all new, and in just four months we’ve already begun laying the foundations for the future. This team includes several debutants who are gaining invaluable international experience, and we are confident Fiji netball is moving in the right direction.”
She said the current focus extends beyond immediate results and centres on creating a sustainable high-performance program that will return the Fiji Pearls to consistent success on the international stage.
“The changes happening now are about the future. We are rebuilding with purpose, investing in our young players and creating a culture that will serve Fiji netball for years to come. This is only the beginning.”
As the Spirit Series continues, every match is providing invaluable experience for Fiji’s emerging talent. For Dawai, Saverio, Nuku, Tokaduadua, Eseta Waqaira and Nanise Waqaira, their international journey has only just begun, but their performances in Sydney have already given Fiji netball every reason to be optimistic about the future.
