SIZE will not dictate Queen Victoria School’s under-14 Vodafone Super Deans Championship final against Ratu Navula College at the HFC Bank National Stadium on Saturday.
QVS proved that in their semi-final against a physically bigger Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School side, producing a determined performance to secure a 23-15 victory and book their place in the final.
The victory has given the QVS youngsters belief that they can match any opponent despite their physical disadvantage.
Head coach Moape Vosawale said the message to his players against MGM was simple — stick to their game plan.
“I emphasised on the fact that they were bigger than us, and we stick to our guns and continue to play our game plan,” Vosawale said.
That approach proved crucial as QVS maintained its intensity and refused to allow MGM’s physical advantage to dictate the contest.
Vosawale said the team would now return to the match footage to identify areas that need improvement before facing Ratu Navula.
The semifinal also tested QVS’s ability to respond under pressure.
After MGM scored in the second half, QVS hit back almost immediately, showing the composure and urgency required at this stage of the competition.
Vosawale credited the players, parents, coaching staff, school administration and old scholars for helping the team reach the final.
“Without them we wouldn’t have been able to achieve such a result,” he said.
For QVS, the task now is even bigger.
Ratu Navula stands between the young Vulinituraga side and the Super Deans Championship title, but the QVS camp is refusing to be intimidated.
Vosawale has called on supporters to turn out in numbers and give the team the backing it needs.
“Come out in numbers, we’re in the finals, and we’re looking forward to your support,” he said.
After standing up to a bigger MGM side, QVS will now look to prove on Saturday that when it comes to a championship final, size is no barrier to belief, discipline and determination.
