Rotuma High School is set to make a comeback at the 2024 Crest Chicken Fiji Secondary School Netball Championship after a decade-long absence. Navitalai Naivalu, president of Fiji Secondary School netball, stated that RHS must first participate in the maritime rally to secure a place in the nationals, scheduled for August 21-23 at the National Netball Centre in Suva.
“There are no automatic qualifiers,” Naivalu explained, adding that schools such as Adi Maopa from Lau, Koro, Gau, and Kadavu have already confirmed their participation.
Lorraine Wesley, the manager of RHS, confirmed that the team will compete in the Under-17 division, which consists of 17 players. The community worked collaboratively to raise the $7,000 needed for participation in this annual school event, utilizing two kava barrels at the Itumuta community hall for fundraising efforts.
Wesley is optimistic about organizing at least two friendly matches against Kalabu Secondary and Gospel High schools prior to the Maritime rally on August 19 at the NNC in Suva. “Our principal has been liaising with the two schools; we haven’t received anything yet as we just arrived today,” she noted.
All players in the Under-17 team are in Year 11. “We are going as underdogs since we have much to learn, and this will be a valuable experience for the girls,” Wesley expressed. She emphasized having expectations but remains realistic about the girls’ confidence and exposure, as this will be their first time competing against other schools.
“The rally provides a great opportunity for the players to build their confidence and understand their competitive level. We’ll take it one step at a time; perhaps one or two of them will represent Fiji in netball in the future,” she added.
Wesley encouraged RHS alumni to come out in large numbers to support the girls during the tournament.