“Beyond the Coke Games: A New Vision for Fiji’s Young Athletes”

Athletics Fiji’s national coach Albert Miller has called upon coaches to extend their plans and training programs beyond the Coca-Cola Games, which is recognized as the largest athletics event in the Pacific. Miller highlighted the importance of collaboration between Athletics Fiji and the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association (FSSAA) to develop new pathway programs for young athletes.

He expressed concern that the focus of coaches tends to wane after the Coke Games, which results in a significant pause in athletic development. To combat this, Athletics Fiji aims to revitalize existing programs by establishing clubs that promote regular participation in competitions. Miller noted, “Once the Coke Games are over, everything comes to a standstill,” emphasizing the need to maintain a steady flow of athletes prepared for regional competitions.

In his remarks, he urged coaches to look beyond local competitions, indicating that there are numerous regional opportunities, including the annual Oceania Championship. To bolster these efforts, Miller advocated for a strengthened partnership with secondary schools, which can provide essential funding for athletes to participate in international competitions.

Miller mentioned the potential for developing representative teams for school competitions in Australia and New Zealand, and expressed a desire to identify promising athletes aged 13-14 within primary schools, ensuring they understand the pathways available to them.

Additionally, he suggested the possibility of organizing a regional secondary school competition that could invite athletes from Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, promoting greater regional collaboration and competition.

This proactive approach highlights a commitment to sustaining the momentum of athletic development in Fiji. By fostering partnerships and creating opportunities for young athletes, there is a bright future for Fiji’s representation in athletics on both national and regional stages.

In summary, Miller’s vision for the future aims to enrich athlete participation and development, which could ultimately lead to greater successes in regional competitions and beyond.