Police have broadened their safety operation at the Crest Fiji Primary School Netball Tournament to include visits to accommodation sites where teams are staying, Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe said, describing the move as part of a wider community effort to protect students throughout the event.
Mr Vusonilawe said officers are not limiting their role to match-day security at the courts. “We are not only focused on game days. We are also visiting where teams are staying and working together with everyone involved,” he said, noting police are coordinating closely with tournament organisers, teachers and those responsible for student welfare to ensure young players are safe at all times.
The latest development comes as the tournament remains under heavy police presence, with officers visible both at venues and in surrounding areas. The extended patrols and welfare checks are intended to cover potential risks off the court, including during evenings and while teams travel between accommodation and playing venues, Mr Vusonilawe said.
He framed the strategy as a “whole-of-society approach,” arguing safety is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation between law enforcement, school staff, parents and community volunteers. That emphasis on partnership reflects recent police messaging in other public-safety initiatives, where authorities have pushed for coordinated responses to keep communities safe.
Tournament organisers have been working with the police to streamline communication and response procedures, Mr Vusonilawe added, so any concerns raised by teachers or welfare officers can be acted on promptly. While he did not disclose operational details, the assistant commissioner said the aim is to create a secure environment that lets students focus on competition.
The Crest Fiji Primary School Netball Tournament attracts teams and supporters from across the region and, with large numbers of young participants moving between venues and lodgings, authorities say a visible and proactive security presence is key to preventing incidents. As the competition continues, police reiterated that maintaining safety both on and off the court remains a top priority.