Lomaivuna Primary School recently took part in the Get Into Rugby Festival, and the experience was invaluable, according to the team’s coach, Maca Kaloudonuvuruna. The young team from Naitasiri traveled to Bidesi Park in Laucala Bay, Suva, to engage in this one-day festival aimed at promoting rugby.
Kaloudonuvuruna highlighted that the primary objective of their participation was to provide the students with exposure to the sport. “My aim for the team is to expose them, that’s the main important thing and especially for them, they normally watch the big tournaments (such as sevens and 15s),” she explained.
The team embraced the philosophy encapsulated by the acronym DRIPS, which stands for discipline, respect, integrity, passion, and solidarity. These values reflect the GIR Plus initiative’s commitment to a holistic and multifaceted approach to sports in schools, emphasizing both character development and athletic skills.
In addition to focusing on exposure, Kaloudonuvuruna praised the team’s training regimen, noting that most of the players are in her class. This arrangement allows for consistent practice sessions. “To be able to come here with the training, we’ve been training every time, every day,” she remarked. “If we have free time in the morning, then every morning, I’ll train them in the morning and that’s how we’re doing our training.”
Participation in events like the Get Into Rugby Festival not only fosters a love for the game among young players but also helps build essential life skills through sportsmanship and teamwork. The future looks bright for these young athletes as they gain confidence and experience that could lead them to greater opportunities in the sport.
Overall, the event served as a platform for the students to shine, making it a meaningful experience that emphasizes growth both in rugby and as individuals.
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