Rotuma High School is set to participate in the 2024 Crest Chicken Fiji Secondary School Netball Championship after a decade-long absence from the event. According to Navitalai Naivalu, president of Fiji Secondary School netball, the school must first take part in the maritime rally to qualify for nationals, which will occur from August 21-23 at the National Netball Centre in Suva.
Naivalu emphasized that there are no automatic qualifiers for the championship, noting that schools such as Adi Maopa from Lau, along with teams from Koro, Gau, and Kadavu, have already confirmed their participation.
RHS manager Lorraine Wesley has announced that the team will compete in the Under-17 division, fielding 17 players. The community rallied together to raise the $7,000 needed for their participation, with fundraising efforts including hosting two kava barrels at the Itumuta community hall.
Wesley expressed hope for her team to secure friendly matches against Kalabu Secondary and Gospel High schools before the maritime rally, scheduled for August 19 in Suva. She mentioned that their principal is in contact with these schools, and they are awaiting confirmation.
All players on the Under-17 team are in Year 11. Wesley acknowledged that her team will enter the tournament as underdogs, viewing the experience as an opportunity for growth and learning. She noted the significance of the rally for building the girls’ confidence and assessing their competitiveness.
Wesley emphasized a step-by-step approach and remained optimistic that some players might go on to represent Fiji in netball in the future. She is also encouraging RHS alumni to come out in support and cheer for the team.