The victory of the Lami High School under-19 team in the Vodafone Super Deans rugby tournament holds significant meaning for the community as they strive to shift local perceptions. The team completed their impressive journey with a narrow win against Queen Victoria School, finalizing the score at 20-19.
Head coach Beniamino Kaikaivalu expressed optimism after this triumph, noting the many Lami children who have been traveling to Suva for educational opportunities. He believes this victory will inspire pride in the local school, encouraging more students to choose Lami High for their education.
The support from the community was evident, with a strong turnout of fans in yellow shirts rallying behind the team during the final. These supporters, mostly local children, have closely followed the team, even joining them on buses after games.
Lami High faced criticism following their quarter-final match against Ratu Kadavulevu School, but the adversity brought the players closer, fueling their determination for success while relying on faith for strength. Coach Kaikaivalu took measures to limit distractions, removing players’ access to social media to help them concentrate solely on their performance. He instilled a belief in the team’s capabilities, building their confidence to face any opponent in Fiji.
In addition to their championship victory, three players have caught the attention of the Fijian Drua academy, while another three have been shortlisted for Fiji Rugby’s high-performance program.