Netball Fiji has announced the appointment of Michelle Parsons as the new Head Coach of the Fiji Netball Team, the Fiji Pearls, marking a significant step forward for the national programme.
Ms Parsons, who hails from New Zealand, brings with her extensive experience in elite tactical coaching, high-performance pathways and strategic programme development.
She is a member of the Netball New Zealand High Performance Coach Community, which prepares coaches for the ANZ Premiership with the long-term goal of progressing to the Silver Ferns setup.
Her credentials include serving as Pathways and High-Performance Manager for Touch New Zealand through to the 2024 World Cup in England.
Parsons holds a Master’s degree in Sport Coaching from the University of Queensland and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Waikato.
In 2025, she was a resource coach with the Northern Stars in the ANZ Premiership, head coach of the Northern Comets, and head coach of Counties Manukau.
Under her leadership, Counties Manukau claimed their first-ever New Zealand Netball Opens National Championship in 2025, while she guided the Northern Comets to the National Netball League Grand Final in 2024. She was also named Netball New Zealand National League Coach of the Year in 2024.
“It is a profound honour to be appointed to this role with Netball Fiji,” Parsons said.
“To be entrusted with the development of the Pearls is a true privilege.”
She said her vision focused on building a world-class high-performance environment that respected Fiji’s unique playing style while strengthening tactical, technical and physical standards.
Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki welcomed the appointment, saying Ms Parsons’ experience and leadership would be invaluable.
“We are blessed to have her lead the Fiji Pearls and our High-Performance Coaching Program,” she said.
Ms Parsons will be based in Suva.
