THE unavailability of a proper gym facility has forced Batinikama Secondary School (BSS) in Vulovi Labasa to use coconut trunks and coconuts as makeshift training equipment in their current training program.
Despite this setbacks the school under-16 boys team won the northern zone Rugby Union Deans title highlighting the potential the school rugby program has.
Irene Ram, a school teacher in BSS and an assistant coach to their U16 team, raised the matter to Minister of Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru during his visit in the Vanua Levu.
“We are using the trunk of the coconut tree to train, and we are using the coconuts,” she said.
She added that the assistance would benefit both boys and girls involved in the sport.
“We are just asking if there is any help that can be given to the police and our school. We want technical support, we want balls, and if we can have a gym for our youth.”
Ram, who is one of the emerging female rugby coaches of the region, said any additional support would give young players better opportunities to develop their rugby skills.
“We are looking for balls for them. There are women involved too,” she explained.
In response, Youth and Sports Minister Jese Saukuru said the school needs to send an official letter to the ministry requesting the equipment.
Saukuru said the ministry would look at the letter as soon as he returns to see how they can help the students.
