Big plans ahead

Michelle McCormick-Parsons is keen to lift the Fiji Pearls to where it was 27 years ago.

The Pearls are ranked 16 in the World Netball rankings which is based on matches up to March 1. They were ranked sixth in 1999 which was Fiji’s highest-ever ranking.

The seasoned New Zealand coach is in the country for a holiday before she takes office.

She had attended national trials in the Western division last Saturday and was excited with the talent.

Parsons holds a master’s degree in Sport Coaching from the University of Queensland and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Waikato.

Coaching Fijian players is not new for the New Zealander as she previously coached a few players including Nanise Waqaira and Lili Tikoduadua who play for the Stars.

She said her immediate assignment is to qualify the Pearls to next year’s Netball World Cup in Sydney with the Oceania qualifiers hosted by Tonga in September.

“I understand the legacy, and I understand there are some pressures that in the 1990s when they were in in the top six, that people want us to be there again,” Parsons told SUN-sports yesterday.

“I honestly believe that there are players that can help us get there. And in the next two to three years, that will reinvigorate that passion for netball, so it is nationwide again.

“I’m familiar enough to be excited, having coached them (Fijian players) and knowing what they’re capable of.

She was pleased with the turnout last Saturday and believes there are many untapped talents in the communities and islands.

A later date will be confirmed for trials before the selection for the qualifier which would include overseas based players.

“The immediate focus is September. The long-term focus is 2027 World Cup, hopefully. And then beyond that, the Baby Pearls and a development squad as we build into 2028.

“We are keeping in mind that there are international competitions that players won’t be released from, that we’re thinking around the middle or end of June so that we can be aware of those obligations that they have to their professional contracts.

“We’re looking to have them over here at least for the August invitational competition that will be here and then some camps prior to that. We’re hoping to have everybody in place at least by June, but we will be doing things from the middle of May.

“Obviously some girls have been training already, and I’ve been sending over training sessions to help them get ready. So, from May onwards, we really need to start kick-starting for September.

“We’re literally going to be putting out a call to any Fijians wherever they are in the world.

Local Trials

Parsons will travel to Savusavu with Netball Fiji officials to con duct an open trial on Friday before Saturday’s trial is Suva.

Last Saturday, they held trials in Sigatoka, Nadi and Lautoka which saw hundreds of players registered.

What we did see was a lot of amazing young players. I excited about the depth that we've got building into the youth space. I think the Baby Pearls in particular; we must have seen quite a few girls that have already circled to go.

We need to bring them into a high-performance programme. The only way we can build depth is by having more women in the programme and helping each other get better.

Iron sharpens iron, so the more of them that we have sharpening each other to create diamonds and pearls, that's better for us, Parsons added.

It was amazing how quickly the time went, knowing that all these girls had travelled from so far. They'd ridden the horse to the main road, hitched to get a truck, and then the truck has brought them there.

It takes such passion and commitment to just want to play a game of netball. So, the West impressed me, not just with their netball, but the type of people they are and how committed they are to netball.