Netball Fiji chief executive Vivian Koster has confirmed that five overseas-based players will join the Fiji Pearls squad in January in the build-up for next year’s Netball World Cup.
The Pearls returned home after finishing second in the Singapore Nations Series this month and Koster revealed the five players are eager to team up with the Pearls extended squad.
She said the five players come with huge experience playing at a high level of netball overseas and will be key at the World Cup.
“Right now I can say that at least five players have put their hands up. But we know that there are more out there. For us, the key is they need to be playing at a higher level of play. So they need to be in the national league.”
“So we have Kerela who is with the northern stars in the NZ Premiership. If not at that level then just one lower in the Premier League.”
“Lavenia Sivo who is actually in the team and was part of the Singapore netball series. Roma also got called into the team for that. Maria Lutua is out in England. She is actually playing regular netball. Din Bulakoro plays in the Super League in England. She did come down for the World Cup qualifiers.”
“There are a number of players who are playing at a higher level.”
“It’s just recognition that it’s a tough assignment and so we need the players who are already playing a high level of netball and we are inviting them to come in.”
The Netball World Cup 2023 will take place in Cape Town, South Africa from the 28th of July to the 6th of August 2023.
