The Island of Vatulele is set to host its inaugural Sports Development Train the Trainer (TOT) / Educate the Educator (ETE) program next week from November 12 to 14 in Taunovo village. This three-day workshop, organized by the Fiji National Sports Commission in collaboration with the Sigatoka Community Police and various National Sports Organisations, aims to empower local participants in sports coaching and leadership.
FNSC Sports Development Officer West, Charlene Lockington, announced that around 50 participants along with 10 teachers from Vatulele District School will take part in this program. The course offerings include World Rugby Level One accreditation, match official accreditation, certifications in netball, volleyball, boxing, and the Oceania Sports Education Program for Sports in Community administrators.
The program will involve youths from four villages: Taunovo, Ekubu, Lomanikaya, and Bouwaqa. Lockington emphasized that this initiative not only focuses on skill development but also integrates community awareness sessions conducted by the Sigatoka Community Policing team, showcasing the important link between sports development and community safety.
“This is a momentous occasion for the people of Vatulele,” Lockington stated, highlighting the program’s goal of reaching every corner of Fiji. She added that by empowering these 60 participants, especially the teachers, the initiative aims to create a sustainable sports infrastructure that fosters local engagement and active participation.
This workshop reflects a broader trend in Fiji where initiatives are increasingly geared towards community development through sports. Previously similar programs have been initiated, such as the “Train the Trainer” program in Naitasiri Province which focused on enhancing coaching and refereeing skills, particularly among youth and women. These efforts are significant as they represent Fiji’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of sports leaders and creating inclusive opportunities for all.
Local training programs like these are vital for strengthening community bonds and enhancing participation in sports, thereby contributing positively to the health and well-being of the population. The sentiment around both the Vatulele workshop and similar initiatives is one of hope and positivity, as they promise to lay the groundwork for a more vibrant and inclusive sports culture in Fiji.
Leave a comment