Cricket Fiji is advancing its commitment to women’s and girls’ cricket with an ambitious plan following a successful year that included hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier. Chief Executive Siti Rokoro has unveiled a roadmap aimed at 2026, focusing on nurturing local talent as a key strategic goal.
A cornerstone of this initiative is the launch of the first national under-19 women’s tournament. Rokoro indicated that a comprehensive school-based qualifying program will roll out, designed to ensure that girls nationwide can participate. The plan includes organizing school tournaments across various regions, such as Suva, Tailevu, Sawani, Nasinu, Serua, and the islands of Moce, Lakeba, and Cicia, with events scheduled for the first week of the school break in Term 1.
“This initiative is about building directly from the momentum of the World Cup Qualifiers and providing our young girls with a platform to shine,” Rokoro remarked.
In addition, Cricket Fiji aims to reinforce the elite domestic pathway by reviving the national women’s tournament, which saw a scaled-down format during its last edition due to ground availability challenges. The federation launched this competition in 2022 and is looking to return to a full version in August.
Moreover, there is the exciting possibility of an international team visiting Fiji for competitive matches, which would offer valuable experience to local women’s teams. Preliminary discussions have taken place with the director of cricket in New Caledonia regarding a potential visit next year, which may include a match with Fiji’s national women’s team, although this is still in the planning stages.
Further enhancing its commitment, Cricket Fiji has plans for two significant international tournaments in 2024 targeting the girl’s under-19 and national men’s teams. This comprehensive approach not only boosts the visibility of women’s cricket but also establishes a sustainable framework for the development of the sport in the region.
With these initiatives in place, the future is promising for women’s cricket in Fiji, fostering increased participation and paving the way for greater success on the international stage.