NEWLY-formed Nadi Divas Netball Club made an impressive debut at the Mana Pacific Netball Cup in Sydney, Australia over the weekend.
Its mixed team finished in third place and its open women’s side bowed out after making it into the finals.
The club was formed in July this year and strut its stuff at the meet, which took place at the Dot Lamberton Netball Courts in Blackett/Emerton, New South Wales.
Nadi Divas president Vilikesa Tuinilotu said the tournament was an important opportunity for the young club to showcase its identity and bring the Fijian community together through netball.
Despite being a newly established team, Nadi Divas stepped up its preparations with increased training sessions, higher intensity and longer hours on court.
The squad was boosted with the seasoned experience of former Fiji Pearls players Unaisi Rauluni and Akisi Bolakoro.
For Tuinilotu, the tournament is about more than results.
It represents the club’s vision of keeping Fijians connected to their culture and providing talented players in Australia with an opportunity to continue developing.
“We carry Nadi in our name, we carry Fiji in our hearts,” he said.
“For the players, it’s a chance to wear the Nadi Divas jersey with pride, compete against the best in the Pacific, and make our families and community proud.”
Tuinilotu said the club ultimately wants to build a pathway between its Sydney players and Fiji, giving talented performers opportunities to train, tour and potentially push for national selection.
For a club whose story is still fresh with the ink of a new chapter, the Mana Pacific Netball Cup marked the beginning of what the Divas hope will become a lasting Fijian netball presence in Australia.
Nadi Divas women’s netball team after their training session for their inaugural Mana Pacific Netball Cup in Australia. Picture: SUPPLIED
