Discipline and leadership will be key focus areas for the Queen Victoria School Under-18 team as they prepare to defend their Vodafone Deans Trophy title against Marist Brothers High School in the upcoming quarterfinal at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium.
QVS U18 captain Anare Tabakaucoro expressed his thoughts during a recent interview, acknowledging the strong competition posed by Marist, despite their third-place finish in their zone. He emphasized the importance of respect in their preparation.
Tabakaucoro also shared the challenges he has faced integrating into the team, as he is new and did not participate with the squad last year. To help bridge the gap, he has been sharing insights from the previous team’s strategies and successes.
He stated, “We will play for one another, as well as for our family, friends, and alumni this year,” underscoring the team’s motivation which stems from honoring the sacrifices made by their parents.
Highlighting their commitment, Tabakaucoro remarked on how many team members come from distant places, such as Vanua Levu, and had been away from their families for a long time. He added that many players have been raised by single parents, fueling their motivation to perform in every match.
Despite his experiences with the Fijian Warriors and Fiji Under-20 teams, he remains humble and prioritizes faith, saying, “Everything that happens in my life is not about me, it’s all about God.” He conveyed the coaching staff’s focus on winning rather than simply defending their title this year.
On the other hand, the Marist Brothers High School U18 manager noted a preference for maintaining a low profile and declined to participate in interviews.