Fiji Netball needs to learn and take action if the Fijian Pearls need to shine on the world stage again

Learning from defeat is one thing but to take action and turn it around for the better is another.

We were once a force but now we are struggling to even make the top 10.

The best we reached in the world ranking was 6th under coach Julie Hoornweg at the 1999 World Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand.

But now we are currently 12th and this is a reflection of how far we progressed over the years.

The top four spots have been dominated by New Zealand, Australia, England and Jamaica for almost two decades now.

But the lower order showed drastic movements with Fiji and Trinidad & Tobago the worst achievers with Malawi, Northern Ireland and Wales the biggest movers in the past 19 years.

It’s hard to believe that Northern Ireland and Uganda who were not even ranked in the top 15 in 1999 are now ranked 7th and 8th respectively in the world now.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland deserved to be ranked above us after the Fijian Pearls were beaten comfortably during the European Tour last year.

And the trend continues with convincing wins by Jamaica, Malawi and the Silver Ferns last night during the Taini Jamison Trophy competition at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland.

Fiji Netball is providing a development pathway but for it to be effective, the Pearls need to shine.

We all know that the big picture for Fiji Netball is the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast next month and the Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England next year.

But our Pearls are struggling to make an impact.

Coach Vicki Wilson wants international exposure and competitions for our Pearls to progress.l

This has been provided with funding of $180,000 by the Fijian National Sports Commission.

It is hard to measure progress, growth and development when you are continued to be beaten comfortably.

Everyone suffers from defeat now and again, but it is what you do or think when you are defeated that makes the difference.

Edited by  Leone Cabenatabua

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