For the young netball players of St Mary’s Sports Club, a trip to Lautoka, Fiji, isn’t just about competition; it’s about growth, opportunity, and learning life lessons beyond the court. 

Leading the group is Visceta Meredith, the club member, coach, and travelling guide for the team, who is ensuring the girls’ journey is as much about personal development as it is about sport.

“This year, our focus is really on development tours for our age groups,” Meredith said. “We want to get our players exposed to netball outside Samoa. For most of them, it’s their first time on a plane, their first time playing internationally. It’s an experience to kickstart their athletes’ or elites’ journey if they get to go that far, but it’s really to give them a taste of what netball is beyond Samoa.”

The team heading to the International Netball Festival in Lautoka on Thursday includes 11 players in the Under-18 squad and 10 in the Under-13 team, including two standout players from the Under-10 group, Leinita Strickland and Akeneta Katonibau, who earned spots through trials for their exceptional talent. The team totals 31 members, including coaches, managers, and senior support staff, who will be in Fiji for a week-long tournament, playing their first game on Friday.

Meredith emphasised that her role goes far beyond being a support person for the club. “We look after them after game days… we can be their second home, second family. When kids are supported, they strive. There’s no weak player or child; if they’re weak and there’s nobody there for them, then it's sad,” she said.

"It's not just the game, it's not just getting them to be good players, to be strong players, but looking after their well-being as well," she said. "So that they grow to be stronger individuals in the community, but netball can be that vehicle to grow their confidence, to be someone, and to be guided."

That approach extends to the club’s spiritual and personal development programs. Every Saturday, the players come together for a one-hour rosary group session, rotating among local grottoes and churches. Meredith encourages the girls to focus their prayers on family and gratitude, teaching lessons about faith, discipline, and respect that carry beyond the court.

“These sessions have been really good,” Meredith said. “I encourage them to pray for their parents. Slowly, we’ve seen parents start to join us.”

The tour is the first international experience for the Under 13s, following two previous tours with older players: New Zealand in 2023 and Brisbane in 2024.