'Without us, they are nothing': Fiji netball in crisis as 15 associations withdraw support

Netball Fiji has reached out to the sport’s governing body for assistance after 15 out of its 19 associations announced over the weekend that they would no longer participate in any competitions sanctioned by the national executive.

The fallout follows the 15 affiliate groups, including the national team, the Pearls, calling for the resignation of Ruby Ann Sorovaki, the president of Netball Fiji.

These associations also boycotted Saturday’s Special General Meeting in Suva.

Following a disappointing performance at the PacificAUS Sports Netball Series in Brisbane in February, the Pearls have joined calls for reform and legal action, demanding accountability and prioritisation of the sport's future.

Alumeci Vosararawa-Sachs, president of the Suva Netball Association, says they are protesting against the current leadership of Netball Fiji.

Vosararawa-Sachs says that the associations have decided to disaffiliate and will seek legal advice, including informing World Netball and Fiji's Ministry of Justice.

“Right now, all the Pearls come from Suva, so they are all in discussion now, and they must find a way forward for all of us. If not, 15 out of 19 associations have walked out, so who is Netball Fiji going to look after now? Without us, they are nothing,” Vosararawa-Sachs told local media.

In response, a defiant Sorovaki says she will seek advice from World Netball and Oceania Netball, both of which are aware of the issue at hand.

Sorovaki, the daughter of former Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama, now faces the challenging task of finding a path forward to keep the sport viable in the Pacific island nation.

The Fiji Pearls last won a major international tournament at the 2015 Pacific Games in Sāmoa. Photo/Fiji Pearls

“Netball Fiji will always go down the path where the sport is priority, so we are going to sit, and I’ve asked the committee to sit back with me and just talk about what that means for us as a sport,” Sorovaki told journalists.

“It’s not a good thing, but we still need to go into it with good faith and continue to try and engage because the sport is our number one priority.

“It’s huge. If we don’t resolve this well, the players can choose to play for other districts, but it’s outside of our control.

“I can’t pre-empt what’s going to happen, but all I can speak to is what is within our confines as Netball Fiji to work on and what we feel is important to focus on right now, and it is not to split the sport, that’s for sure.”

Alumeci Vosararawa-Sachs, president of the Suva Netball Association, speaks with delegates in the capital. Photo/Supplied

The standoff has been developing for some time, especially following Fiji’s lacklustre performance in Brisbane.

The competition featured teams from Sāmoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, the Australian First Nation Invitational national team, the Black Swans, and Scotland.

The Fijians finished in fifth place, recording only one win (against PNG Pepes) and a draw (against First Nation Black Swans) while losing to the Tongan Tala, Scottish Thistles, and the Sāmoa Tifa Moana, who won the tournament.

The Fiji Pearls are currently ranked 16th in the world, their lowest position to date, trailing Tonga (ninth) and Sāmoa (14th). PNG (33) and the Cook Islands (34) complete the list of 50 nations in the world rankings, with Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, England, and South Africa occupying the top five spots.

Fiji Pearls debutant Alisi Neisulu, left, and Tonga Tala captain Hulita Veve tussle for possession at the PacificAUS Netball Series in Brisbane. The Tongans proved too strong, winning 71-47. Photo/PacificAUS Netball

In light of their dismal outing in Australia, the Pearls are demanding significant changes to the leadership and management of Netball Fiji.

In a scathing letter addressed to Sorovaki, the Pearls detailed several logistical and organisational failures that affected their participation in the tournament.

The issues reportedly started even before the team’s departure to Brisbane, including a "meager" airport allowance of F$20 (NZ$15.22).

Once in Brisbane, the team faced a lack of transportation and meal arrangements, poor accommodation, and insufficient meeting room facilities.

On the court, major challenges arose due to game scheduling, which created logistical difficulties.

The letter also stated that the team lacked adequate warm-up time due to transportation issues and suffered from a shortage of qualified medical staff and insurance, forcing players to rely on basic first aid.

“Post-game conditions were equally appalling, with players often left without proper dinner arrangements.”

The players also expressed concerns over financial mismanagement, claiming that they were promised F$250 (NZ$190.19) in allowances but only received F$150 (NZ$114.11), with the remaining F$100 (NZ$76.08) contingent on returning their playing kits.

Fiji netball has dropped to its lowest position of 16th in the world rankings. Photo/Fiji Pearls

“The overall experience was one of exhaustion and frustration,” the letter stated, asserting that the current leadership undermined the team’s progress and potential, calling into question the allocation of Australia’s DFAT funding to the sport in Fiji.

In a show of solidarity, the Pearls have joined the 15 presidents of Fiji's district netball associations in their motion of no-confidence against Sorovaki and her executive team.

Sorovaki has responded to allegations regarding its governance and financial management, labelling them as "misinformation."

Sorovaki emphasised the organisation’s commitment to a positive environment for all involved in the sport.

Sāmoa Tifa Moana won the PacificAUS Netball Series in Brisbane in February. Photo/PacificAUS Netball

In a statement, she says Netball Fiji has clarified its governance structure and that it follows a clear constitution and strict financial protocols, including regular audits and transparent reporting.

Sorovaki says funding is based on levies from club memberships and that resources are allocated accordingly.

"The organisation collaborates with partners like the Fiji National Sports Commission and Netball Australia to ensure financial accountability."

Fiji have participated in nine World Netball Championships, with their best finish being sixth place in 1999. Fiji have also competed in three Netball Commonwealth Games, in 2002, 2006, and 2018, finishing 12th.

Fiji men's netball team beat Australia 55-54 in the final of the Nations Series in Singapore in December. Photo/Supplied

The Fijians have won seven Pacific Games finals, formerly known as the South Pacific Games, since 1991, with their most recent victory coming in 2015. Tonga are the current champions, having beaten Fiji in the 2023 Games in Sāmoa.

In January, Netball Fiji announced that Jioweli Vakamoce, the men's netball coach, would be tasked with looking after the Pearls ahead of the Brisbane tournament.

Vakamoce was expected to emulate the success of the men's team, which made history in December by winning the Nations Cup Series in Singapore, defeating New Zealand, Australia, and England.

World Netball and Oceania Netball have been approached for comment.