EXCITEMENT surged through the eager swimmers of Jasper Williams Primary and High School when they competed in the 2026 Fiji National Schools Swimming Championships.
Eight swimmers represented the school of which seven were from Jasper Williams Primary School and one swimmer from its high school.
The seven swimmers from Jasper Primary were Isabella Nakaitaci, Reapi Raiwalui, Reijeli Rebecca, Allyn Senilolia, Mayvis Soqolala, Lusiana Tuinavunawa and Katrina Zinck.
Litiana Nagatalevu was the only swimmer from Jasper Williams High.
Speaking of their journey into the competition, team manager Asilika Tuilawa said it had been a challenge having to find suitable venues to train and helping the swimmers find their stride in the water.
“It’s been a challenge for us especially for the primary school swimmers who are competing for the first time; the excitement and the stress,” Tuilawa told Times Sport on Saturday.
“Yesterday (Friday) was their first time to compete in the water and they were worried but they have gotten over that.”
She highlighted Nagatalevu’s performance who had been swimming since she was in primary school.
For schools in Lautoka, preparing for swimming competitions means having to find a 25 or 50-metre swimming pool to simulate the one at the Damodar City Aquatic Centre where the championships were held.
And for Jasper, this was also a problem they faced.
“Talk about the equipment, especially the pools in Lautoka. It’s not the same as here in the Aquatic Centre,” Tuilawa explained.
“It’s a challenge for them, the distance is longer here but they managed to maintain their strength in the competition.”
What kept them going, according to her, was placing their belief in the Lord for guidance during the competition.
“The message from day one is to trust in the Lord and trust in yourself as well.
“Do your best, you are always a winner, no matter what. If you don’t get a place in your competition you are still a winner and just remember your hard work has paid off.”
She thanked the administrators of both schools and parents for their unwavering support to the team.
