Former national netball rep Vasiti Vugakoto is humbled to see how her daughter has progressed.

Her daughter, Matila Vocea, followed into her footsteps playing netball at an early age andnow a Fijian Pearls squad member.

Vocea, 21, and Ema Mualuvu left for Australia last week to be part of a PacificAus Sports Programme (PSP).

They were selected to be part of the Athlete Immersion programme to play in the 2021 Netball Queensland HART Sapphire Series for the Northern Mendi Rays.

The objective of the programme is to develop pathways for established athletes to play in high level Australian competitions.

And allow athletes to benefit from high- performance coaching and training, leadership development as well as educational opportunities.

“A humbling experience as a mother to see Matila offered the opportunity to be part of the PacAus Sports Programme in Australia,” she said.

“I thank Fiji Netball for the opportunity and confidence in Matila to represent Fiji. This will pave the way for future netballers who will continue with this programme through to 2023.

“Playing in high level Australian competition, Matila also has a tough responsibility to pave the way for future netballers in Fiji who will be given the opportunity to be part of programme.

“This is not going to be an easy task, but I have confidence that Matila will pull through,” Vugakoto added.

She indicated it would only take hard work and commitment.

“As earlier mentioned by Fiji Netball president, RubyAnn Sorovaki, to be part of the programme girls need to work hard on and off the court.

“Commitment, discipline and dedication is a pre-requisite to be part of the programme. This is my only advice to girls that are interested to be part of the programme,” she said.

“The next World Netball Championship will be held at Cape Town, South Africa in 2023. The PacAus Sports Programme is from 2021 to 2023. By 2023 most of our girls would have undergone the high performance coaching, training, and leadership programme.

“Fiji should be expecting a high performance team for the World Championship. Leading to the World Championship, our Pearls ranking should improve.

“When the girls return, they will share their knowledge from club level through to national level. There should be a programme in place for the girls when they return.

“Wishing Matila and Ema the very best,” she added.

Former national reps that have played in similar competitions in the past in Australia include Matelita Shaw, Taraima Rara, and Mere Rabuka with the Sutherland Shire Netball and more recently Maria Lutua as training partner with the Sunshine Coast Lightning team in the Suncorp Super League Series.

Edited by Osea Bola

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