Pacific Island teams face a daunting start at the Netball World Youth Cup in Botswana.
Fiji and the Cook Islands are first out of the blocks tonight against Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
With England also looming in Pool D, Fiji coach Vicki Wilson says there's a lot riding on their tournament opener.
"Ideally, it would be great if we could finish in a top two position (in our pool) but that means we have to take the scalp of Trinidad or maybe England - but maybe that's a bit too tough but Trinidad, certainly," she said.
Fiji celebrate winning the Oceania World Youth Cup netball qualifying tournament. Photo: Netball New Zealand
The Baby Pearls will also take on Wales and Granada over the coming days and Vicki Wilson says the tournament is a huge opportunity for her young squad.
"The first step is Botswana for them and once they get a taste of that international competition I'm sure they will just throw themselves into their training more so."
"They're very competitive and they love playing and once you've got that, that next step to becoming an elite athlete, you're taking the step in the right direction."
After going on safari in Botswana, the Cook Islands team is now hunting wins at the World Youth Cup. Photo: Facebook / Netball Cook Islands
The Cook Islands finished sixth at the 2009 Youth Champs but missed the last event in Glasgow four years ago.
With Jamaica among the title contenders head coach John Glassie was already looking beyond tonight's Pool C opener, as the Baby Black Pearls target a spot in the quarter finals.
"I've had an opportunity to find out a little bit about Botswana and watch Malaysia a bit on YouTube and that sort of thing. Botswana and Uganda both have a bit of height - they've got very strong, athletic players who are very fit and fast so Malaysia are quite technical," she said.
Meanwhile Samoa have a bye on the opening day of competition before facing defending champions New Zealand on Sunday.
Photo: Netball World Youth Cup
