Lautoka Delana Primary School is making a comeback in the Lautoka Primary Schools Rugby Festival after a lapse of one year.
The two-day festival will kick off at Churchill Park today and provide an opportunity for the school to showcase its rugby talents.
The school did not participate in last year’s Kaji rugby competition due to a bus accident in Banaras, Lautoka, involving Lautoka Delana Primary students.
About 125 students will participate in the two-day festival.
School coach Sekove Vadei expressed his admiration for the Lautoka Primary Schools Rugby Association’s decision to change the event from a competition to a festival.
This change aligns with World Rugby’s values of discipline, respect, integrity, passion, and solidarity, and focuses on player development.
Vadei said, “I’m glad they have changed the event from competition to festival.”
“Our school missed out last year due to the bus accident which resulted in several injuries. After our school meeting, the school decided to pull out from the competition.
“This year we have returned and students have been assessed by the Ministry of Health and are cleared to play,” Vadei said.
The school will field teams in various age categories: Under-9, U10, U11, U12, and U14 in the boys’ (Vesi) division and U10, U12 and U14 in the Rosi (girls) division.
Vadei highlighted their focus on fitness training and skill development, with the support from the Get Into Rugby program, which provided kits, tag rugby equipment, and coaching assistance.
“We are focusing on our fitness, developing our skills and we thank the Get Into Rugby program for providing us with kits, tag rugby equipment and coaching assistance,” Vadei said.
“So far we have received good support from our families and friends, and teachers working the whole day.”
The school team has been motivated by FIJI Water Flying Fijians flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu who was a former student.
“His story is a motivation for our students as well when they will play.”
