Vilimaina Davu
| Vilimaina Davu | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Born |
15 January 1977 Nadi, Fiji |
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| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Netball career | |||
| Playing position(s): Goal keeper | |||
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Medal record
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| Last updated: 17 March 2010 | |||
Vilimaina Davu (born 15 January 1977 in Nadi, Fiji) is a Fijian and New Zealand netball player, who has represented both countries in international netball as a goal keeper. She has also played basketball at an international level.
On the netball court she was a veteran of more than 100 international tests. She made her senior international debut for Fiji in 1993, playing in 57 tests for her country of birth until 1999.
In June 2000, Vilimaina was part of Team Pasifika who met the Silver Ferns in Auckland on 27 June and Palmerston North on 29 June.
She then went on to join the World 7 team who played against the Silver Ferns, coached by Jill Mackintosh. The World 7 team featured Kath Harby (Australia), Elaine Davis (Jamaica), Leana Du Plooy (South Africa) and Vilimaina Davu (Fiji) and Team Pasifika.
She moved to New Zealand in 2000 and quickly established herself in the Silver Ferns defence circle. During her Silver Ferns career, Davu became well known for her tough defensive style and frequent contact penalties.
She also won the Fijian Sportswoman of the Year in 2000.
Vilimaina won Sports Personality of the Year by Sport Canterbury for netball in 2002.
The 2003 Halberg Awards in New Zealand were dominated by netball. Vilimaina was part of the Silver Ferns team who were honoured with the Team of the Year award. The 2003 Silver Ferns were: Anna Stanley (née Rowberry) (captain), Irene van Dyk, Tania Dalton, Belinda Colling, Temepara George, Sheryl Scanlan (née Clark), Vilimaina Davu, Lesley Rumball (née Nicol), Adine Wilson, Anna Harrison (ne'e Scarlett), Jodi Brown (née Te Huna), Leana de Bruin (née du Plooy). Coach: Ruth Aitken. Assistant Coach: Leigh Gibbs. Manager: Sheryl Wells.
After six years playing for New Zealand, with 61 appearances, Davu retired from international netball in 2006, and joined Fiji Netball as head coach of the national team to prepare them for the 2007 Netball World Championships in Auckland. Davu became a player-coach (similar to what Waisale Serevi did in sevens rugby) before the start of the tournament, joining the team as a goal keeper after they suffered several player injuries. However, Fiji had a disappointing showing at the 2007 World Championships and Davu resigned from her position.
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