Pearls hopefuls face tough selection test

Players from across the country are battling for limited spots in the Fiji Pearls squad.

More than 90 players trialed for a place as selectors assess skill and fitness ahead of the Four Nations Spirit Series in Sydney, Australia, from July 8–11.

The Fiji Pearls held their first trial session on Saturday at the FNU Gymnasium, with invited trialists vying for selection under newly appointed head coach Michelle Parsons.

Parsons told SUNsports the session marked the beginning of a busy international schedule, with four overseas campaigns lined up for the national side this year.

“We’ve got July in Australia against the Black Swans, Singapore and Papua New Guinea,” she said.

The team will also compete in an invitational tournament in August, while overseas-based players are expected to join trials on July 18 against a locally selected side.

Focus will then turn to the Netball World Cup qualifiers in September before the local squad wraps up the year at the Pacific Aus Challenge in Queensland in November.

Parsons said the current trialists were identified through selection trials held around the country in April.

“We are hoping to select a squad that will represent Fiji at the Four Nations Spirit Series in Sydney,” she said.

Preparation for the trials began months ago, with an extended Pearls squad taking part in strength and conditioning programmes from December.

“There was an extended Pearls squad that came together in December, and we were doing some strength and conditioning work and training. I was also sending through session plans while I was away. Up until now, the girls have been working with their clubs and schools to get ready for this,” Parsons said.

With competition for places intensifying, Parsons said selectors were looking beyond basic skills and placing players under pressure to assess their ability to perform in match-like conditions.

“We’re looking for consistent execution of fundamental skills. We’re also looking at conditioning, so we are putting them under pressure with repeated games over longer periods,” she said.

“I really want to see the ability to accelerate, decelerate and change direction quickly while maintaining stability.”

Selectors are also monitoring passing and receiving skills, court awareness, decision-making and how well players combine with teammates.

“I guess the other thing we’re looking for is coachability and how well they work with their teammates because we’ve got a very short timeframe to be ready,” Parsons said.

“I need to know that these girls can adapt quickly to instruction. So, there’s a lot for the selectors to think about.”