A brave Fiji Pearls outfit went down to hosts Tonga, 72-60, in their third Netball World Cup 2027 Oceania Qualifiers.

The Fiji Pearls defeated Cook Islands in their first Netball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers Oceania at the Tonga High School Indoor Stadium yesterday.

The Fiji Pearls will treat every match like a final when the Netball World Cup Oceania Qualifiers get underway in Tonga next week.

Preparations are progressing well for the Fiji Pearls as they gear up for the Netball World Cup 2027 Regional Qualifier in Tonga next week.

For Crest Fiji Pearls defender Vutaeli Tokaduaudua, success at next month’s Netball World Cup qualifiers will be built as much on team unity as it is on talent.

Crest Fiji Pearls head coach Michelle Parsons believes hosts Tonga and regional rivals Samoa will be among the biggest obstacles standing between Fiji and qualification for the Netball World Cup.

Balancing university studies and elite sport is no easy task, but Crest Fiji Pearls midcourter Nina Nakula believes the sacrifices are worth it after earning selection for next month’s Netball World Cup qualifiers in Tonga.

Organisers of the Crest Fiji Secondary Schools Netball Championship have defended their decision to host this year’s competition at Jai Narayan College, saying no alternative venue in the country could accommodate the tournament’s record participation.

The Crest Fiji Secondary Schools Netball Championship will not have semi-finals or finals after organisers were forced to revise the competition format due to adverse weather conditions and the state of the playing courts.

The Fiji Secondary Schools Netball Association believes its competitions play a crucial role in developing the next generation of national representatives.

Just like their Under-19 rugby team, which defied the odds to reach the Vodafone Deans final, Navatu Secondary School’s netball side is overcoming significant challenges to compete at the Crest Fiji Secondary Schools Netball Championship.

Building stronger links between secondary schools’ netball and the national programme remains a key objective of the Crest Fiji Secondary Schools Netball Championship.