The Stars are excited to announce a match between the Fiji Under 18s and Howick/Pakuranga Under 18s as a curtain-raiser for this month’s ANZ Premiership pre-season game between the Stars and Magic at Pulman Arena on Thursday March 19th.
The Fijian side is made up of talented netballers between the ages of 14 and 18 years old who are residing in Auckland and is coached by former Silver Ferns defender Vilimaina Davu.
Davu says it’s an amazing opportunity for her players.
“I had a conversation with Jane the general manager for the Stars last year, because I coached a Pasifika team with Stars men’s coach and Comets assistant coach Junior Manapori and we talked about it being a great opportunity for players who haven’t been seen as much to showcase their skills in a curtain-raiser to a game like this.” Davu explained.
Davu is enjoying coaching the future of the Fijian game and is looking forward to the challenge of facing a quality side like Howick/Pakuranga.
“We have a big squad of about 35 to 40 players and started our off-season training in December and a lot of them are playing for their respective schools too and we have a Pacific Cup tournament to look forward to in September too.” Davu said.
“The more they play against tough competition, the better they will become and ready for the next level, be it the Under-21s or the Pearls.”
A couple of notable Fijian players who are leaving their marks on the ANZ Premiership currently are Stars defender Lili Tokaduadua who attended Howick College and Steel midcourter Serina Daunakamakama who went to Lynfield College.
Davu says it’s great to have fantastic role models who inspire her team.
To see players like Lili and Serina doing their thing in the ANZ Premiership shows that anything is possible and if they work hard, they can rise to that level as well. They need to believe in themselves.”
FIJI U18 VS HOWICK PAKURANGA U18:
Venue: Pulman Arena
Date: Thursday March 19th
Time: 4:45pm
