Netball Fiji recently appointed Dr Simone Nalatu as coach and Lusiana Nasedra Rakavono as manager of the Fiji under-21 team.
The U21 team will be participating in the Netball World Youth Cup Oceania Qualifier in teh Cook Islands in September and the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar in 2025.
Nalatu is a former Fiji Pearl who has competed at two World Cups in 2007 and 2011.
She has also played for the Queensland Firebirds and has coached various teams in Queensland and Australia. Currently, Nalatu is the head coach for the Sunshine Coast Thunder which competes in the Hart Sapphires Series in Queensland.
Rakavono played county-level netball in Kent, United Kingdom before returning to Fiji in 2014.
She has coached and managed club and district teams in the Suva and Nasinu netball associations.
Rakavono also managed the 2023 National Academy U17 squad and the U17 team in the end-of-year Academy Tournament.
In mid-February, Nalatu is scheduled to visit Fiji and will conduct a fitness test and skills training for the athletes who competed in the Academy Tournament.
This new coaching and managing team bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Fiji Netball U21 team, and they are committed to preparing the team for their upcoming competitions.
