The Fijian Under-21 netball team’s preparation for the Digicel Punjas International Youth Netball Series got a big boost yesterday.

This was when they received $45,000 from the Fiji National Sports Commission chairman Peter Mazey.

“This is what we’re all about, last year it was about the Olympics and all our funding from Government was given to our national team,” Mazey said.

“This year we believe we are moving in what we like to call a four-year planning structure and it means we’re putting a lot more effort in developing our squads.

“This is a good representation of whose going to be in the Pearls in the next four years time and it starts with our youths and you will see our funding this year is pretty much geared up towards youth development.

“We still looking after our national teams, we are very keen on the hosting of more upcoming events in Fiji this year.”

National netball coach Vicki Wilson said the money lifted the morale of the girls.

“We have been in camp for a week now and we have been doing two sessions a day. Really working on the intensity at every session and the girls are really working hard. There is nothing like playing against the best in the world in your age group,” Wilson said.

Mazey also confirmed that two scholarships have been given to netball.

“Maria Lutua has been given a scholarship to be part of the Sunshine club in Australia and the second applicant is yet to be confirmed.

“Fiji is very lucky to be offered this opportunity from overseas sporting bodies. We have a number of swimmers and athletes in America and it’s all the youth that are going. The sports commission has a special scholarship grant which allocates what is required so we take up what is not offered by the international bodies,” Mazey added.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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