THE growth of girls’ soccer continues to be one of the biggest success stories for the Nasinu Primary Schools Sports Association as participation numbers increase across its annual tournament.
Association president Ravneel Prasad said the inclusion of girls’ soccer had opened new opportunities for young female athletes and continued to strengthen grassroots football development in the district.
“This is the third year we have introduced girls’ soccer, and we are empowering girls’ participation in soccer,” Prasad said.
“We all know they have been doing very well in netball but getting them into soccer is something new for the Nasinu Primary Schools Sports Association.”
The three-day tournament this year features nine member schools, an increase from seven schools in 2025, with Wainibuku Heart Primary School and Jagindra Singh Primary School joining the competition this year.
Prasad said the association continued to focus on developing the sport from the grassroots level while creating more opportunities for students to compete.
“This is the baseline where we are encouraging and empowering grassroots football,” he said.
The competition features under-12 boys and girls, under-14 boys and girls, alongside under-12 and under-14 girls’ netball grades.
Rishikul (Nasinu) Primary School remains the dominant force in girls’ soccer, having won the under-14 title for the past three years since the competition’s inception.
Prasad said the tournament also served as a pathway for talented players to progress further in football.
Officials from the Nasinu Football Association and Fiji Football Association attended the competition to scout potential players for future development programs.
“We have some good players who have gone on to represent at higher levels,” Prasad said.
He highlighted former grassroots player Maika Dau, who is currently playing for Bula FC, as one of the success stories from the association’s development system.
Prasad acknowledged the support of sponsors, teachers and executives who continued to help run the competition despite financial and time challenges faced by organisers.
