Every match counts as Fiji Pearls players fight for World Cup spot

Every match has become an audition for Fiji Pearls players as they battle for one of only 12 places in the squad for the Netball World Cup qualifiers.
Speaking to fijivillage Sports, Fiji Pearls head coach Michelle Parsons says the current tournament is helping the coaching staff identify the final squad, with players competing for selection while continuing to work together as a team.
Parsons says the biggest challenge for the players is finding the balance between impressing the selectors and helping their teammates perform well.
She says the players have managed that balance despite the pressure of knowing every performance could influence the final squad.
Parsons says many of the players have not played together before, so the coaching staff deliberately placed them in new combinations to see how quickly they could adapt, communicate and understand their roles on the court.
She says the team has spent the past two days focusing on tactics, combinations and building confidence in one another ahead of the qualifiers.
Parsons also thanked Fiji Pearls supporters, saying the players have been overwhelmed by the encouragement they have received both at the venue and through messages of support.
She says the girls are feeling the love from their supporters, and it is motivating them as they continue to push for national selection.
The 2027 Netball World Cup will be held in Sydney, Australia, from August 25th to September 5th.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Invitational Series 2026 continues this afternoon at the Vodafone Arena.
The Crest Fiji Black will face New South Wales Fiji at 5.30pm, while Crest Fiji Blue will take on Auckland Fiji at 7.30pm.