FIJI Men’s Netball head coach Jioweli Vakamoce praised his side’s effort and commitment following Fiji’s dominant 74-26 victory over Tonga in the International Men’s Invitational Series final on Wednesday night at the Vodafone Arena, saying the performance reflected weeks of preparation and growing combination in the squad.
Vakamoce said one of the key positives was seeing the team execute structures and court combinations they had focused on during their twelve weeks of training.
“We worked on certain combinations because there are new players on the team, so we had to work on how they play together on court,” he said.
While encouraged by the performance against Tonga, Vakamoce admitted there are still areas the side must improve as they continue building toward the 2028 Men’s Netball World Cup in Wellington, New Zealand.
He highlighted the importance of facing stronger international opposition, saying Fiji can only truly gauge its progress by competing against higher-level teams.
“We went to Australia last year; we saw the intensity level there. We can only see our progress when we play teams that are much stronger than us,” he said.
Vakamoce added that Fiji Men’s Netball hopes to secure more international test matches in the future, particularly against Tier One nations, to help lift the standard of the local game.
He also acknowledged the strong crowd support during the match, saying the energy from the supporters motivated the players throughout the contest.
In an emotional closing message, Vakamoce spoke openly about the stigma still attached to men playing netball and admitted negative comments can sometimes be discouraging for players and officials involved in the sport.
“There is a stigma attached to men playing netball because people don’t realize it’s a good sport,” he said.
Despite the criticism, Vakamoce said the team remains grateful for the support received from the families, friends, and loyal supporters throughout their journey.
The Invitational Series is an important platform for the development and growth of men’s netball in the region, creating opportunities for athletes, strengthening regional connections, and supporting the continued expansion of the game across the Pacific.
Fiji men?s goal shooter Waisale Lasekula attempts a shot over a determined Tongan defender during their final match of the Men?s Invitational Series at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on Wednesday. Picture: KATA KOLI
