FORTY-TWO of Fiji’s brightest young swimmers are entering the final phase of preparations for one of the biggest competitions as they gear up for the 2026 School Sport Australia Swimming Championships in Melbourne later this month.
The championships, to be held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MASC) from July 25 to 30, will bring together the best school-aged swimmers from across Australia and invited international teams, giving Fiji’s rising athletes the chance to test themselves against elite regional competition.
The squad earned its place through the 2026 Fiji National Schools Swimming Championships, the country’s premier school’s swimming event and the official selection trial for the Melbourne team.
Speaking to Times Sports, Fiji National Schools Swimming Association president Salaseini Lele said the preparations are well underway, with swimmers training in their respective towns ahead of the tour.
“They’ve been training in their towns and cities, and they’ve been preparing well. Most of them are already in the national team system, and they are gearing up for Melbourne,” Lele said.
While expectations remain realistic, Lele believes the experience of racing against Australia’s strongest school swimmers will be invaluable to the team’s development.
“We’re swimming against Australia’s best. I just expect them to do their best for themselves,” she said.
Although Fiji has previously returned from the championships with medals, including one gold and two silver medals last year, Lele said the emphasis this time is on improvement and embracing the opportunity.
“If we win a personal best, that will be a bonus,” she said.
For many of the swimmers, Melbourne will be their first taste of international competition, an experience Lele believes can have a lasting impact on their careers.
“This is our pathway. This is the first international meet most of these swimmers will go to. For them, it’s a bonus and an eye-opener,” she said.
“Most of the time, when they come back, they change the way they look at swimming. I hope they will learn something out of it.”
With just weeks remaining before departure, Lele’s message to the team is simple: Keep training, believe in yourselves and embrace the opportunity.
For Fiji’s young swimmers, Melbourne represents more than just another competition, it is the next step in their journey on the international stage.
