Netball Fiji is mourning teh loss of Unaisi Rokoura, a pivotal leader and coach who substantially shaped the sport’s development across Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Rokoura’s career spanned numerous leadership and development roles, leaving an indelible mark on the Pacific netball community.

Coaching career: Fiji Pearls and PNG pepes

Rokoura’s coaching career began with the Fiji Pearls, the national netball team, where she served as Head Coach from 2009 to 2013. She returned to the role from 2022 to 2024, demonstrating a sustained commitment to the team’s success.Between these stints, she extended her influence to Papua New Guinea, leading the PNG Pepes as Head Coach from 2015 to 2017. She also served as a Consultant Coach for the PNG U21 Team.

Her dedication to netball in Fiji was further exemplified through her role as Country Coordinator for NetGO fiji from 2017 to 2022. NetGO Fiji is a development program aimed at increasing participation and improving the standard of netball at the grassroots level. World Netball’s NetGO program focuses on providing resources and training to support netball development globally.

Beyond the Court: Fitness and Development

Rokoura’s contributions extended beyond coaching. From 2007 to 2014, she served as a Fitness Instructor at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Gym, demonstrating her commitment to physical conditioning and athlete development. This role likely provided her with valuable insights into the holistic needs of athletes, which she then applied to her coaching methods.