Another wonderful week of Fun, Friendship and Fraternity was held by all at the 14th Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Netball Festival in Nadi Fiji. Teams travelled to Nadi from Australia, The Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Barbados, New Zealand and of course Fiji.
The 600 participants from 63 teams representing 6 nations, gathered at Sandy Point for the Opening Ceremony, which saw the Fiji Police Brass Band prove why they are world famous, they were real crowd favourites.
See some opening Ceremony and Parade photos
Olive Whippy the Festival Director and Thomas Valentine Senior Marketing Officer of Fiji Tourism welcomed everyone to Fiji.
Keith Robinson Air New Zealand Events Manager officially opened the Festival. Teams then paraded a short distance to the official Welcome Party at the magnificent Denarau Golf and Racquet Club. Some great entertainment including fire dancers had everyone on the edge of their seats.
The three days of Netball that were staged at The Denarau Golf and Racquet Club were just fantastic. Great facilities, great music, great food and of course great Netball. It was wonderful to see so many local Fiji teams take part in what would have been for many of them their first ever Golden Oldies Festival.
The Mid-Week Picnic saw Adrenalin Fiji transport participants by boat out to Akuilau Island to spend the day relaxing, eating and drinking, or for those who wanted a bit of adventure there were many activities available including parasailing, banana boat rides and coconut Olympics.
The week rounded off with the traditional ‘Grand Finale Diner and Air New Zealand Awards Ceremony’ at The Sheraton Resort.
There was plenty of entertainment by VOU a great dance group and the live band Divine, one of Fiji’s top bands, kept the dance floor packed and completed a most memorable week.
See some Grand Finale Dinner Photos
During the evening the Air New Zealand Awards Ceremony was held. The recipients of the 2011 Festival Awards were as follows:
Best Team Uniform: Hutt Hurtz
Friendship Award: Starwood Princess and Starwood Swifts
Best Supporters: Jolly Rolly’s
Special Merit Award: Cecile Ramonyane
Spirit of the Festival: Cathy Cary
Personality of the Festival: Pam Roach
Congratulations to all of the award winners, and to all of our participants for a wonderful Festival!
View the Festival Award Winners
Another fantastic week of Netball in a truly unique and picturesque setting, and all to be repeated again in San Diego 2013. See you there!!!
