A total of 31 athletes represented Ratu Lalabalavu Secondary School at this year’s Maritime Zone.
Head of school Samuela Talenasila says that the team includes a blend of new and experienced athletes from four villages on Malolo Island, with students ranging from Year 9 to Year 12.
Despite only joining the competition in 2023, the school has already made a strong impression.
The girls’ team were the defending champions for the Maritime Zone, while the boys finished as runner-up last year.
Talenasila said the goal this year is maintaining that standard particularly in the girls’ division.
However, he stressed that winning medals in the Fiji Finals is not the primary focus.
“Our main objective is to give students exposure,” he said. “It’s about allowing them to experience competition and expose.”
Talenasila adds that schools operating in a maritime environment presents challenges, particularly in terms of limited resources and manpower.
Even so, he noted that student commitment remains high, with athletes eager to compete.
The team has also received strong backing from the local community and stakeholders, including resorts on Malolo Island.
Talenasila encouraged supporters to turn out in numbers to support the team for the three-day Coca-Cola Games.
