Athletics Fiji’s national coach Albert Miller has called on coaches to extend their focus beyond the Coca-Cola Games, known as the Fiji Finals, one of the largest athletics events in the Pacific. Miller emphasized the importance of collaborating with the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association (FSSAA) to establish ongoing development pathways for young athletes.
He expressed concern that after the excitement of the Coca-Cola Games, interest among coaches wanes, often leading to a stagnation of athletic programs. To counter this trend, Athletics Fiji is working to rejuvenate its initiatives, including the formation of clubs to encourage regular participation in competitions.
“Once the Coca-Cola Games concludes, momentum tends to halt,” Miller noted. “We aim to keep athletes engaged and ready to represent Fiji in regional competitions.”
He urged coaches to shift their focus toward long-term goals, rather than solely preparing for the Coca-Cola Games. Miller mentioned aspirations of providing opportunities for athletes to earn scholarships and emphasized the necessity of strengthening ties with secondary schools, as they often have the resources to support athletes at regional events.
Miller highlighted that regional competitions, including the Oceania Championship, occur annually and that the secondary schools play a critical role in developing age-group teams for international representation. He also pointed to potential plans for a regional secondary school competition that would include athletes from Tonga, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
By investing in younger athletes aged 13 to 14 years, Athletics Fiji hopes to lay a solid foundation and present a clear trajectory for aspiring sportsmen and women. Overall, the initiative underscores the commitment to nurturing talent and sustaining athletic excellence beyond a single event.
This proactive approach not only aims to enhance Fiji’s representation on the regional stage but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement within the athletics community. With dedicated collaboration between associations, Fiji can look forward to a brighter future for its athletes.
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