As secondary school sports slowly returns, the Assemblies of God High school under-17 rugby league team players are focused on bringing their fitness up to par.
Coach Ratu Nawi Rokodulu said students had looked forward to when school sports would begin after the Government announced the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions earlier this year.
“When the Minister for Education announced that sports competition is allowed, we had to rush in with our preparation,” Rokodulu said.
After the first round of the Southern Zone secondary schools rugby league competition at St Marcellin Primary in Vatuwaqa, Suva, the side went down to Shreedhar College 0-10. Rokodulu said to set up a team in a very short period of time was challenging.
“Since the ministry disallowed any games to be held, there was no training for a lapse of two years and so players had moved up another level in school and joined other teams, and some of our players had left school and joined tertiary. So as you can see we have a new bunch of players,” he said.
“Preparation has been really hard at this moment. We’re trying to get them in shape for the competition.
“It has been short notice but we’re grateful that we can now play sports and compete and our main focus now is work on our fitness.”
He thanked the Education Ministry for allowing students to compete and represent their schools.
