Naboutini U18 Tames Netball Regulars
Naboutini sneaked past Fiji Secondary Schools 15-14 in the Under-18 Digicel Punjas national championship semifinal at the National Netball Centre yesterday.
Saturday 15 October 2022 | 10:20
Naboutini Under-18 netball team after their 24-8 win against Nasinu Divas in the quarterfinal of the Digicel Punjas national championship at the National Netball Centre on October 14, 2022. Photo: Sereana Salalo
Naboutini sneaked past Fiji Secondary Schools 15-14 in the Under-18 Digicel Punjas national championship semifinal at the National Netball Centre yesterday.
The side is made up of Vunisea Secondary School and Richmond Methodist High School students.
They had defeated Nasinu Divas 14-8 in the quarterfinals to advance to the semis.
The youngest player in the side is 13-years-old.
Head coach Senimili Waikere said the team first participated in 2019 and won the major division.
“This year we brought two grades; open and U18,” Waikere said.
“We did not expect to beat Nasinu as they are more exposed side. Our girls have the skills, they know the basics of the game and they did it right.”
Naboutini was eliminated in the pool matches at the Namalata 7s last weekend.
“It was a tough preparation; we had to fundraise to have the sufficient amount to get to Suva."
“We did kava barrel to raise funds, we also fasted every Wednesday as we prepared to come over to Suva for this championship."
“We are lucky that we have families and relatives living overseas as they also assisted us in our fundraising drives.”
Waikere is confident that some of her players have the potential to be future Pearls.
“It depends on the selectors, it is an eye –opener for us in the maritime zone; it is also possible for us to win this competition.”
The Naboutini netters started training last month.
They trained along the shores and roads of Vunisea at 4am and in the afternoons after school.
They face Suva White in the final. Suva White had also sneaked past Suva Blue 13-12 in their semi-final match.
Naboutini and Suva White were yet to play the U18 final when this edition went to press.
The Kadavu side was expected to return home last night soon after the U18 final.
The national championship continues today with the women and men’s premier grades.
Some of yesterday’s results: Under- 18 quarterfinals - Suva Blue 17-6 Nadi, Nasinu Divas 8-14 Naboutini, Fiji Secondary Schools 20-8 Koro, Suva White 19-7 Tailevu.
Premier Women- Nasinu Gold 26-6 Nadroga Two, Suva City 22-15 Lautoka Sapphires, Lautoka Angel 15-15 Tailevu, Suva Bay Win By Default- Nadi, Nasinu Blue 7-28 Lautoka Diamonds, Lautoka Stars 24-18 Fiji Secondary Schools, Nasinu Gols 35-10 Lautoka Sapphires, Nadroga Two 14-20 Tailevu
Premier Men’s - Suva Warriors 33-8 Navosa, Sugar Kings Lautoka 34-3 Tailevu, Suva Knights 54-2 Indiana.
Story By: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
