The Baby Pearls, Fiji’s national youth netball team, made an impressive mark at the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, clinching the 11th place by defeating Malaysia 56-48 in their final match. This achievement comes after a challenging tournament where they initially placed third in their pool, following South Africa and Malawi.
Throughout their journey, the Baby Pearls showcased resilience and skill, starting their playoff campaign with a significant victory against the host nation, Gibraltar, with a score of 61-31. Despite a hard-fought match in the 9th-12th place semifinals against Samoa, the team fell short of victory, leading to the showdown against Malaysia for the 11th-12th rankings.
In the decisive game against Malaysia, the Baby Pearls commenced with strategic defensive play, including well-timed interceptions and vibrant passing. By halftime, they held a narrow lead of 27-25. Malaysia mounted a strong challenge with effective shooting and rebounding, but Fiji’s defensive tenacity and swift transitions proved pivotal in the third quarter, allowing their shooters to seize crucial opportunities and secure the win.
Meanwhile, other results from the tournament saw Samoa finish in 9th place after defeating Wales 67-53, and the Cook Islands taking 8th place after a narrow loss to Malawi with a score of 54-61. In an exciting final, Australia emerged victorious for the first time in 16 years with a decisive 63-48 win over New Zealand.
The Baby Pearls’ performance at the Netball World Youth Cup not only highlights their competitive edge but also signifies the growing potential and stature of netball in Fiji. Their determination and exceptional play are inspiring to budding athletes, reflecting the progress of the sport in the region and promising a bright future in international netball. The experience garnered from this competition imbues the team with hope and enthusiasm for future achievements on the world stage, signaling a vibrant future for netball back in Fiji.