“Building Futures: Athletics Fiji’s Vision Beyond the Coke Games”

Athletics Fiji’s national coach, Albert Miller, is calling on coaches to expand their focus and develop training plans that extend beyond the Coca-Cola Games, the largest athletics event in the Pacific. Miller emphasized the need for a collaborative effort between Athletics Fiji and the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association (FSSAA) to establish clear pathways for young athletes.

He pointed out that without cooperation, progress can stall, leading to missed opportunities for upcoming athletes. “Whatever differences that they have must be put aside so that we’re maximizing opportunities for our upcoming athletes,” Miller stated.

He expressed concern about the loss of interest among coaches after the Coca-Cola Games, which typically leads to a pause in training programs. To combat this, Athletics Fiji is striving to bolster participation by forming clubs that encourage athletes to compete regularly. “Once the Coca-Cola Games is over, basically everything comes to a standstill,” Miller noted, highlighting the need for continued engagement to ensure a strong pool of talent ready for regional competitions.

Miller urges coaches to consider long-term goals rather than just short-term successes tied to the Coca-Cola Games. He hopes to see athletes gain further opportunities, such as scholarships, to pursue their athletic careers.

Miller also reminded everyone of the importance of regional competitions, such as the Oceania Championship, held annually. Strengthening ties with secondary schools is critical, as they often provide the funding needed for athletes to participate in these regional events. He mentioned the commitment of schools to develop age-group teams to represent Fiji in competitions in Australia and New Zealand.

Additionally, Athletics Fiji aims to support athletes as young as 13 to 14 years in primary schools, establishing a foundation for sustainable athletics development. Miller expressed optimism about organizing a regional secondary school competition, inviting athletes from Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, further enhancing the competitive environment for young talent.

In summary, the article highlights an encouraging move by Athletics Fiji to enhance the framework for athletic development beyond a singular event, laying the groundwork for future success in the region. This proactive approach not only promises to nurture young talent but also aims to strengthen the athletics community across the Pacific.