LELEAN Memorial School is drawing motivation from its journey as it prepares to face Sigatoka Mission College in the Under-17 Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby league semi-final in Lautoka on Saturday.
Assistant principal Ulaiyasi Vakatawakoula said the team’s return to the national stage is a significant milestone for the school and its wider community.
“The last time we won the under-17 grades was in 2018. Since then, we have only been competing at the zone level,” he said.
This year marks a breakthrough, with the team steadily improving through to reach the semi-final stage.
“When they were in the under-15s, they lost in the quarterfinals. Now in the under-17s, they have come this far. That is an improvement on its own.”
Vakatawakoula said his side would approach the match with humility and respect despite acknowledging Sigatoka Mission Knights 30-14 quarter-final win against Nasinu Panthers,
Spiritual preparation has also played a key role in the team’s build-up, alongside physical and mental readiness.
“We have been praying and doing our spiritual preparation. Those who stay focused spiritually, mentally and physically will come out victorious,” Vakatawakoula shared.
He added that discipline will be crucial, warning that losing composure could prove costly.
“If you lose discipline, you lose possession, you lose points, and eventually you lose the game.”
Vakatawakoula has called on supporters, parents, old scholars and the Lelean community in the West to turn up in numbers at Churchill Park.
Lelean Knights will take on Sigatoka Mission Knights at 10.30am.
