At the Fiji Primary and Secondary Schools National Swimming Championships, held recently at the Damodar City Aquatic Centre, the Dayspring Christian Primary and College swimming team delivered a heartwarming performance. While they may not have secured any medals, their manager, Paula Cokanasiga, highlighted the personal growth of the young athletes, emphasizing that the main goal was improving individual performances.
The 16-member team, consisting of seven senior swimmers and nine from the primary school, showcased significant improvements, marking personal bests across various events. This season was particularly special as it marked Dayspring’s return to competitive swimming after a four to five year hiatus due to financial restrictions. Last year, the team fielded just 12-13 swimmers, but they increased participation this year, even bringing 16 swimmers to the championships, despite one athlete having to miss the event due to illness.
Cokanasiga attributed the team’s success to the rigorous training schedules they maintained, with the coaching staff dedicating one month of intensive training sessions, focusing on swimming technique while balancing multiple responsibilities as teachers. Supported by the broader school community, including parents and sponsors who helped with uniforms, the team cultivated a strong sense of camaraderie and determination.
The event saw around 700 swimmers from 58 schools competing, fostering a spirit of community and participation that resonates throughout Fiji’s youth swimming programs. The growing engagement from schools reflects increased enthusiasm for the sport, resembling sentiments expressed by other teams like the Latter-Day Saints Church College and Suva Christian Community Primary School, who have also focused on fostering personal growth and resilience among their swimmers.
With the foundation laid this year, Cokanasiga expressed hopes for future growth and competitiveness, aiming for the Dayspring team to become strong contenders for medals in subsequent championships.
This positive trajectory showcases not only the commitment of the athletes but also the potential future success for Dayspring Christian Primary and College in the realm of competitive swimming, encouraging a generation of young swimmers to strive for excellence while building community spirit.
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