The Fiji Police women’s basketball team says they are “in it to win it”.
The 12-member squad is taking part in the Raiwaqa Basketball Association inter-lane Easter competition this week.
The seven-day tournament shot off to a great start last Saturday with 39 teams from in and around the Raiwaqa-Raiwai areas at Edward Hattauer’s court in Raiwaqa, Suva.
Former Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua 15’s flanker Akosita Ravato said in a bid to raise awareness on safety issues affecting communities, Police were using sports as a platform to conduct its policing, crime prevention campaign and awareness messages.
“Our team at the Fiji Police Force (FPF) just put together a team as part of our community policy program,” the 34-year-old said.
“Raiwaqa area is a good place to have a police team participating as part of our awareness and community policy program to reach out to the community.
“There’s always negative feedback that comes from crowds, some are anti-police, so the reason why we participate in sports in communities tournaments such as this is to reach out to them and create a family-friendly atmosphere.”
Ravato said the team also included police officers who were interested in representing FPF in sports.
“Half of our team is made up of civilians, those that are looking for employment to join the police force through basketball and seven of us are police officers from different divisions here in Southern and Eastern Division.
“We just met up last week so most of the girls just come with their game experience from the different clubs.
“Some girls have netball, athletics background so all that combination and with a few training sessions we were able to play together as a team.
“We play just to be noticed on the court and to show that yes police force is also taking part not to be competitive but to reach out to the community.”
The tournament ends on Saturday.
