The Fiji under 17 AFL side for the 2024 Pacific Cup were in grateful and excited spirits following their jersey presentation at the Calvary Temple Assemblies of God church in Samabula, Suva yesterday.
The U17 national contingent which consists of a men’s and women’s team alongside the senior men’s team were presented their official apparel, courtesy of Dynamic Xtreme Concept (DXC), following the church service yesterday. Loata Vakausausa, the talent academy manager and development officer for AFL Fiji, spoke of the team’s preparation in the lead up to the tournament.
“Preparation was tough because we were a minor sport at first and we started off with six kids during training sessions and now we’re rolling with more than 60 kids for training,” Vakausausa mentioned.
Even though their preparation got off to a rocky start with players missing classes or family time, she applauded them for being diligent and committed towards their training.
She highlighted the team had already been named and the U17 sides were the pioneering lot representing Fiji as junior teams in the AFL tourney.
While the travelling group will field only three teams, Vakausausa lamented the lack of a senior women’s team, which she added was out of their hands.
The AFL representative has urged the families, friends and supporters of the national teams for their prayers, and noted how evident how overwhelming their support had been from the turnout at the jersey presentation yesterday.
Meanwhile, nine students of Suva Grammar School are also part of the national teams.
