SELECTION for the national netball squad has highlighted the importance of strengthening grassroots development pathways following a difficult reduction process that saw numbers trimmed from more than four hundred trialists to twenty-two.
Head coach for the national netball team Michelle Parsons admitted the process was difficult and emotionally challenging, with many young athletes missing out on final selection despite strong performances during trials.
“It is hard,” coach Parsons said.
“The hardest part about selections is you know there are girls out there that might be disappointed.”
She revealed Netball Fiji is now placing greater focus on a structured talent identification and youth development program, particularly to under-19 players, to ensure athletes remain engaged in the sport.
“This is why the national talent identification program is going to be really critical, as well as the youth programs as we target those U19 girls in particular,” she said.
She stressed that developing players at grassroots level is essential to keeping young athletes engaged and ensuring they are not lost after missing national selection.
Selectors also relied on structured performance data from trials to guide decisions, alongside a panel-based review process to ensure fairness and consistency.
The coach added it highlighted the need to strengthen pathways so emerging players continue progressing through the system.
