AS a parent, former Nadi rugby prop Morgan Peter Simmons expects all children to take up swimming which he believes is a career pathway for any team sport. His son Robert Simmons is the youngest participant from Andrews Primary School in Nadi and will feature in the under-9 division during the Fiji National Schools Swimming Championship in Suva this weekend.
Robert took up the sport last year and has been a fast learner.
Unlike Robert, his father excelled in rugby making the Nadi rugby team.
Morgan, who is originally from Labasa, resides at Kerebula, Nawaka.
He played for Gaunavou rugby team in the Nadi Rugby Union competition and went on to play for the Jetsetters alongside former Fiji rep Kitione Salawa, Apisai Naweilulu, Apisai Naro, Peniasi Mataitini and Opeti Turuva for a couple of years. Morgan said swimming was a sport that taught self-discipline.
“I put my son into swimming so he could come out strong individually before he can take part in any team sport,” Morgan said.
“Swimming builds character. It teaches them how to survive in any condition whether it’s in the deep or the shallow. “Knowing the amount of drowning victims in Fiji, I think parents should really encourage their children to start swimming early so they could pick up the skill. The coaches have decided to take Robert just for participation. He has been improving a lot and is going there for fun, just to enjoy himself. “I told him that as long as he does well in swimming, medals don’t matter now. If he does well then he makes us all proud.”
