Netball players receive NZ visas

The New Zealand Government has given the National Fiji Netball Under 21 the green light to travel to New Zealnd for a series of build-up matches prior to the World Youth Championships in August.

Senior Private Secretary to the New Zealand Government, James Funnell confirmed this saying, the Ministers in Government had agreed to the team being granted an exemption to the sporting travel ban imposed on Fiji, following the events of December 2006. However, one player had been declined her visa.

When contacted this afternoon, National Coach Melissa Walker confirmed that Cecilia Sorby has had her visa application denied, because of her father's connection to the military.

The Under-21 team is scheduled to meet teams from New Zealand, Australia and the Cook Islands on this ten day tour, one which Walker feels will help the girls to lift their standards.