Milika Munivai believes that there should be more emphasis on developing netball at the grassroots level.

The former Fiji Netball president said twhe current 12th rank placings in the world truly reflects that something is definitely wrong with the development focus.

“Fiji Netball should focus more on developing their affiliated associations rather than just focusing on the national team, the Fijian Pearls,” Munivai said.

She said having interdistrict competitions (IDC) in the past brought everyone together as it was something players looked forward to every year.

“They have so much being spent on the national team and just look at the standards of where they are today.”

Munivai said focusing on association levels and getting involved with every weekend matches will enable coaches to identify talents.

“That is better than just picking from under-21 age group levels all the time,” said the former school teacher from Nataleira, Tailevu.

She said many notable names like Alanieta Evans and former national captain and Silver Fern defender Vilimaina Davu were identified while playing in local club competitions in Nadroga and Lautoka.

“During my time as president, we did not have much-money and Fiji was ranked 28th in the world. But during the Netball World Championship in 1999 in New Zealand, we were ranked 6th in the world This was the highest ranking ever to be attained by the national netball team which was coached by Julie Hoornweg.”

She said the secret there was paying attention to the nurturing and development of the sport at grassroots level.

“This meant working with the associations and their committee members also having their officials attending their weekly games,” Munivai added.

Edited by Osea Bola

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