Netball Fiji has made a significant advancement in its national programme by appointing Michelle Parsons as the new Head Coach of the Fiji Netball Team, affectionately known as the Fiji Pearls. Parsons, who hails from New Zealand, comes with a wealth of experience in elite tactical coaching, high-performance pathways, and strategic programme development.
She is an esteemed member of the Netball New Zealand High Performance Coach Community, which equips coaches for the Australian Netball League (ANZ Premiership) while aspiring for them to transition into the Silver Ferns setup. Parsons has held notable positions in the sport, including serving as the Pathways and High-Performance Manager for Touch New Zealand leading up to the 2024 World Cup in England and coaching in various prestigious roles.
Armed with a Master’s degree in Sport Coaching from the University of Queensland and currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Waikato, Parsons has a strong academic background to complement her practical coaching experience. In 2025, she held the position of resource coach with the Northern Stars in the ANZ Premiership, and she led the Northern Comets and Counties Manukau as their head coach. Notably, under her guidance, Counties Manukau clinched their first-ever New Zealand Netball Opens National Championship in 2025, and she successfully propelled the Northern Comets to the National Netball League Grand Final in 2024, earning the accolade of Netball New Zealand National League Coach of the Year that same year.
Expressing her enthusiasm for her new role, Parsons stated, “It is a profound honour to be appointed to this role with Netball Fiji. To be entrusted with the development of the Pearls is a true privilege.” She outlined her vision of creating a world-class high-performance environment that honors Fiji’s unique playing style while enhancing both tactical and physical standards.
Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki expressed her confidence in Parsons, indicating that her vast experience and leadership would greatly benefit the team. “We are blessed to have her lead the Fiji Pearls and our High-Performance Coaching Program,” she commented.
Parsons will be operating out of Suva, where she aims to elevate the national team to new heights. With her impressive credentials and clear vision, there is a sense of optimism surrounding the future of the Fiji Pearls under her expert guidance.