WHAT began as a vision among parents to give their daughters greater exposure has grown into an international opportunity for the under-15 Royale Rising Star from Nakoivalu Netball Academy.
The team will make its first appearance at the International Netball Festival in Christchurch, New Zealand from August 26-28.
The team was formed by parents whose daughters have been playing club netball since they were 10 years old.
Academy founder Unaisi Ranavue said the idea was to bring the parents together and create an opportunity for the girls to experience international competition.
“The parents thought to come together to organise an international tour and to have an exposure for the International Netball Festival,” Ranavue said.
The team’s participation is also a milestone for the academy, which had previously only followed the tournament from afar.
“We’ve been hearing about it, but we’ve never been part of it,” she said.
“So, this is a milestone and a huge achievement for us to get registered and be part of the competition.”
The team is now preparing for the Christchurch challenge, with the players having completed strength and conditioning and core sessions before moving into court work.
Ranavue also said the experience would be about more than results, with the players gaining confidence and learning from competing at an international level.
The International Netball Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
