Dawasamu Secondary School is gearing up to make an impact in this year’s Weet-Bix Raluve competition, despite facing numerous challenges both in training facilities and student resources. Head coach Solomoni Naitini has confirmed that the school will participate with teams in the Under-16 and Under-18 categories.
Currently, however, training for the teams is temporarily on hold as the school shifts its focus to an important tradition—the annual cadet pass-out parade. Coach Naitini stated, “We’re not training at the moment because we’re concentrating on our cadet programme. Once that is over, we will resume full preparations for Raluve.”
Naitini’s optimism remains strong, with a vision that extends beyond mere success in competition. He is dedicated to creating pathways for students interested in pursuing professional rugby careers after their academic journey. “Our goal is to help the girls play to the best of their abilities. We want to build a pathway so they can secure contracts or continue their rugby journey after leaving school,” he explained.
Despite the limited resources at Dawasamu Secondary, with just over 200 students and scarce sporting equipment, Naitini insists that this will not deter their efforts. “It’s tough every year. We don’t have the resources or equipment, and we’re a small school. But that won’t stop us; we’ll give everything we have especially in the Under-18 category,” he said.
The upcoming Deans and Raluve zone competitions are set to begin this Saturday, which brings excitement and a sense of determination to the student-athletes and their supporters.
Building future athletes in a small school setting reflects a noble goal and showcases how commitment, resilience, and community support can positively impact young players. This spirit enhances the significance of sports beyond just competition, helping shape the lives and futures of the participating youth.
While the challenges are daunting, the determination exhibited by Dawasamu Secondary highlights a hopeful narrative of perseverance and ambition that could inspire other small schools faced with similar obstacles.
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