NETBALL Fiji is now working on team plans as its starts preparation towards the 2019 Netball World Cup which will be held from July 12-21 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. Fiji Pearls assistant coach Unaisi Rokoura said they had made plans in terms of training and camp.
“At the moment there are plans in place for our preparation, we are waiting on our head coach, Vicki Wilson to arrive so we will be able to know our next move,” said Rokoura.
“It is the world cup so it is a very big event that we will be preparing for and everyone is looking forward to it.”
Rokoura said the players would need to start preparing themselves in order to secure a spot in the final team.
“The responsibility will be on the girls who will be vying for a spot, they will need to get themselves physically ready. This is a world cup so our selection will be based on the performance of the girls and if you are willing to go the hard yard then you will make it,” said Rokoura.
The Fijian netters are ranked 14th in the International Netball Federation world ranking. Former Silver Ferns player Irene van Dyk said Fiji had the ability to perform better and climb the ranks.
“Fiji has a lot of natural talents and it will not take long for them to climb up the ranks because they are phenomenal athletes,” said Dyk.
“If the team culture and environment is right, there will be great results produced.” Dyk said local netball managers should be more active from each of their districts if they wanted Fiji to perform better at international level.
“You need the right people to drive the sport from every part of the country and that is a way we can move the sport forward,” said Dyk.
