Navatu Secondary School’s under-19 rugby team and coaching staff visited Parliament yesterday as they continued preparations for their historic Vodafone Deans final against Lelean Memorial School this Saturday.
The visit gave the Vanua Levu-based side an opportunity to step away from rugby before returning to training ahead of the biggest match of their campaign.
Navatu has battled through a demanding path to reach the final, overcoming some of the competition’s established teams along the way. Navatu defeated Queen Victoria School in the elimination round before overcoming Suva Grammar School in the quarter-final and Ratu Kadavulevu School in the semi-final.
Ravulo said the journey had tested the team at every stage but had also prepared the players for the challenge that awaits them. “This is a big experience for these boys who have come from Vanua Levu,” Ravulo said.
He said the team was using Monday as an opportunity to step away from rugby before returning to the field on today to begin final preparations.
Ravulo believes Navatu could be creating history as the first school from the North to reach this stage of the competition.
“Our journey this far has not been easy as we have met some giants of the Deans competition,” he said. Now, with Lelean standing between Navatu and the title, Ravulo has called on the school’s wider community to rally behind the team.
“I want to invite our supporters. I believe a good number are from the villages. They have returned yesterday and will come back on Thursday,” he said.
He also appealed to former students to get behind the team for what promises to be a major occasion for the school.
“At this stage of the competition, support is needed from those around Fiji and even the world, from all those who attended Navatu Secondary School,” Ravulo said.
“This is history for the ages. The boys are ready to do their part this week.”
Behind Navatu’s run has been strong support from parents, who Ravulo said have played a major role in keeping the team going throughout the campaign.
“What drives this team is the support of their parents. We don’t really have the financial backing. It is the parents who have been supporting us from Day One,” he said.
