$50K boost for grassroots netball

A $50,000 sponsorship from Vodafone M-Paisa will strengthen grassroots netball across the country through the launch of the inaugural M-Paisa Netball Fiji Rally Zones competition.

The partnership between Vodafone M-Paisa Digital Financial Services and Netball Fiji was launched at the Vodafone Fiji headquarters in Tamavua, Suva, yesterday.

Vodafone M-Paisa and Digital Financial Services general manager Shalendra Prasad said the sponsorship reflected the company’s commitment to supporting women and grassroots sport.

“About 50 per cent of our M-Paisa customers are women, many of whom previously did not have access to financial services,” he said.

“We want to give back by investing in the country’s most widely played sport and create the same opportunities for women in netball as men have in rugby, rugby league and football.”

Prasad said the sponsorship would help identify and develop talent at grassroots level while improving the administration of the sport.

“Our total commitment is around $50,000. It includes cash support as well as digital technology such as mobile phones and laptops to strengthen communication and record keeping within Netball Fiji.”

Netball Fiji (TOC) secretary Alumeci Sachs welcomed the partnership, highlighting it as a milestone for the sport.

“A massive thank you to Mr Shalendra Prasad and the M-Paisa team for creating the first sponsored zoning rally.

“This strategic partnership is built on three pillars — empowering women, men, girls and boys through sport, driving digital transformation in netball and supporting community development across Fiji.”

She said the one-day zonal competition would be staged across three regions, giving every zone an opportunity to showcase its talent.

The competition will feature the Under-17, Under-23, premier women’s, open women’s and open men’s grades.

The Central/Eastern Zone includes Suva, Nasinu, Naitasiri, Tailevu and Serua. The Western Zone comprises Nadroga, Yasawa, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Rakiraki, Vatukoula and Tavua, while the Northern Zone features Labasa, Savusavu, Rabi, Wanikeli, Bua and Macuata.

Sachs said the sponsorship would ease the financial burden on zone associations, which previously funded the competitions themselves.

“This sponsorship is a dream come true for our zoning associations.”