A strong spirit and a big heart will drive this year’s Marist Brothers Primary School swimming team, even though they will be sending their smallest group yet.
Team manager Ilisapeta Irava Ragogo confirmed that only five swimmers will represent the school this year at the Fiji Primary and Secondary Schools Nationals Swimming Championships tomorrow – a big drop from more than 20 in previous years.
The decision to reduce numbers was based on cost-cutting and a greater focus on academics.
It was also about selecting only those who showed top-level commitment in both areas.
“We wanted to take the best, just to see their talent, they can excel well and go through secondary schools,” Ragogo said.
“We have picked our best five out of the whole 900 boys in this school.”
After several rounds of trials, four swimmers from last year’s team returned, all of whom won medals in the previous competition.
They are joined by one new swimmer, who is eager and ready to compete for the first time.
The swimmers had about a month to prepare.
Unlike other schools that began training as early as last year, the team had to work with limited time and resources.
Still, they trained three to four times a week at the Damodar City Aquatic Centre pool with their coach.
Each session lasted two to three hours and they also trained on Saturdays.
“The boys were hesitant at first,” said Ragogo.
“But they knew they had to step up. Their improvement has been outstanding.”
This year, the team is not setting its sights on just winning medals.
Instead, the focus is on showing heart, discipline and pride in representing their school.
“This year, we’re not focused on winning medals,” she said.
“We want to go out there and show other schools our spirit, in the pool and out of it.”
Balancing swimming and academics have been the biggest challenge.
Four of their swimmers are in Year 8 and preparing for their external exams.
It was a struggle at times, but Ragogo said the boys showed great maturity in managing both.
She believes their passion makes the difference.
“Follow their heart, their passion, because if they follow that, I believe they will be able to balance everything.
“Because if they do not have the love for swimming, they wouldn’t be able to have the love in studies as well,” she said.
She added that parents have been very supportive throughout their journey, helping the boys stay on track.
Special thanks were also extended to Scholars United, a chapter of the Marist Brothers old boys, for sponsoring their swimming kits for the two-day event.
They may be small in number, but they are ready to make a big splash.
