Inter Services netball champions set off for South Pacific showdown with Fijian Pearls

A 16-strong British Army netball squad will spend a nine-day tour in Fiji, facing some of the best sides from the South Pacific island.

A highlight will include playing the Fijian Defence Force, but the toughest test will be taking on the Fijian Pearls National select side in front of an excited crowd in Suva.

The Army are no strangers to playing international opposition with Malawi recent on court rivals, and tour organiser and Army player, Captain Katherine Chadwick, is expecting an exciting encounter with The Pearls.

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She said: "I think it will be closely contested, I think it will be physical, and I think they'll (Fijian Pearls) will be using it, as a lot of their trial period as well, as they're back on their building blocks for their senior team, so it will be a better contested match."

Having entered the Remembrance period, the side will have the opportunity to remember the fallen. Captain Chadwick said.

"It's all been done in close liaison with the defence attaché of Fiji, so we've made sure to go through all the right, correct defence protocols to enable us to be taking part in the remembrance services whilst we're out there."

The British Army side boasts a number of Fijian-born players within their squad, including team captain, Staff Sergeant Ellie Nawele. The Larkhill-based soldier is looking forward to returning to her homeland.

She said: "I've been playing netball for the last 22 years, so going back home with this bunch of girls (Army team), it's a big privilege and I'm honoured to get the girls back home."

At the prospect of facing a select Fijian Pearls side, SSgt Nawele continued: "This means a lot to the girls.

"Most of the time we have big teams coming over to the UK, but to go back home, especially to test ourselves outside our comfort zone, it's going to be a big one for us."

The British Army netball side play the Fijian Pearls select side on Saturday, 8 November.