Parsons calls for Pearls support

Fiji Pearls head coach Michelle Parsons is calling for support ahead of the Oceania World Cup Netball qualifiers in September.

The Oceania qualifiers will be in Tonga from September 14-19 with the top two teams invited to compete at the Netball World Cup (NWC) in Sydney, Australia, next year.

Parsons who was in the country on holiday attended the national netball trials last Saturday in the Western Division.

“We need all of Fiji behind us as we build to September, so as we plan for that World Cup we really want as many people going over to Nuku’alofa so that we have as many Fijian supporters as possible,” Parson said.

The Pearls are ranked 16 in the World Netball rankings which is based on matches up to March 1.

Parson also attended the Fiji Western Muslim Women’s Sports Council trials last Saturday and was pleased with the turnout.

“It’s a huge honour and privilege to represent a country and to be trusted to lead the programme and to lead the girls in this programme,” she said.

“I would love to see as many people as possible who want to put their name forward in front of selectors and the fact that I’m here on holiday is a real bonus for me to be able to see some netball.”

The netball trials were held in Nadi, Lautoka and Sigatoka.

Fiji Western Muslim Women’s Sports Council secretary Nazmeen Khan said: “It is such an encouragement and inspiration for the girls.

“It will give them an opportunity to be part of the Fiji Pearls and the stamina, the training that they’ve been doing. It will encourage and motivate others.”

The NWC will be from August 25 to September 5.