It was a special moment for Annabella Sorby who was named in the Fijian Under-21 squad for the Netball World Youth Cup in Botswana next month.

The 19-year-old from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, who qualified for her maternal links to the country, will make her debut for Fiji in Botswana.

Playing netball since the age of seven, Sorby said she wanted to take up the opportunity of playing for a country her dad grew up in.

“I have links to Fiji through my dad, he grew up here so I have aunties and my grandma lives here as well,” Sorby said.

“The opportunity just popped up, I really didn’t think about it I just decided to do it and see how far I go.

“I think being named in the team is extra special for me because I feel like I have two homes now and playing the sport I love in both of them.

“My parents are really proud of me and happy that I was chosen and to be honest I am really as well and I cannot wait to travel with the team.”

The University of the Sunshine Coast Occupational Therapy student caught the attention of head coach Vicky Wilson with her goal and wing defence skills.

Being away from home and immediate family, Sorby said the girls in the team have welcomed her with open arms and she feels more at home.

“It is really a good feeling, I have played for schoolgirls Australia before but it feels different being here playing for Fiji,” she said.

“It is a really special moment for me playing with all these girls. They have been really welcoming, I am the only one whose not from here so the girls have been inclusive and supportive.

“Having that bond with the girls is really good because it makes me feel relaxed and I can play with ease.

“My family is really supportive with my netball and they are one of the reasons I am successful at netball.”

The main goal for Botswana is to improve, winning games would be nothing more than an added bonus.

“I think just putting out our best performance is what we need to do and come away with the best results as we can,” she said.

“It not always about wining, I want to improve and I am sure the other girls want to as well and if we do great and give our best then a win would be a bonus.”

Fiji is in Pool D with England, Trinidad and Tobago, Wales and Grenada.

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