SIX players representing Fiji to the Netball Youth World Cup in Gibraltar later this month from the Suva Netball Association were handed hygiene sports packs by NewWorld IGA Fiji yesterday to aid in their preparations.
The handover took place at the supermarket chain’s Damodar City branch and present at the event were the players, the association’s executives and NewWorld IGA Fiji representatives Anthony Rajend and Maawiyaa Begum.
Suva Netball president Alumeci Sachs thanked NewWorld for their kind gesture of support to the six netball players who will don their national dresses in Gibraltar.
“We really thank NewWorld for the sponsorship that they have been giving us. Year in, year out, they have been there for us,” Sachs acknowledged.
The six players chosen from Suva Netball to be part of the Baby Pearls squad to the World Cup in Gibraltar are Akisi Bolakoro, Anatolia Nuku, Susana Rasaubale, Mereoni Taqiri, Lydia Tavesivesi and Adi Varanisese Vula.
The players are part of the Grasshoppers, Lomaiviti and Tagimoucia clubs which are affiliated with Suva Netball.
Sachs thanked the families of the players for raising them up to become formidable players now battling on the court at the world stage.
“Without the parents’ support, the girls wouldn’t do well and we acknowledge the families, the parents of these young girls.
“All these girls, they’ve been playing together from their clubs ever since they were young.”
Following the handover of the hygiene sports packs, the players and executives sat down for lunch afterwards and were reminded by Sachs and association treasurer Georgina Lasaqa of the importance of being national representatives and flying the noble banner blue on the world stage.
Prior to this, the players were each handed envelopes containing cash fundraised from a soli drive organised by the association to go towards the six Baby Pearls players selected from the association.
Meanwhile, the Netball Youth World Cup takes place from September 19-28.
