A SMALL but determined team from St Thomas High School is set to make its mark at the 2026 Coca-Cola Games in Suva.
Team manager Makelesi Mawi confirmed that eight athletes will represent the school this year, all of whom earned their spots after strong performances at the Lautoka Zone meet.
“We are taking only our eight athletes who came first in the Lautoka Zone, and our focus is mainly on girls’ events, both track and field,” Mawi said.
The squad is dominated by field athletes, with only one competitor set to feature on the track.
“There is only one girl taking part in the inter-girls 800m, the rest are in field events. We have three javelin throwers and two high jumpers,” she added.
Mawi highlighted that the team is made up entirely of younger students, with no senior athletes in the mix.
“These students are all from the intermediate and junior grades. The 800m athlete is in Year 11, while the rest are in Year 9 and Year 10. There are no Year 12 or Year 13 students.”
Despite their youth, expectations are high especially for the lone track athlete, who has been putting in extra effort in preparation.
“She has been training on the hills in Saru. We are really banking on her in the 800m. She is the best from the West in her event.”
Mawi said preparations had been smooth because of the small size of the team, allowing for more focused training.
“Preparation was going well because the number is small, so it is easier to manage and train them properly.”
However, the team did face a setback following the Easter weekend.
“After Easter, the cyclone affected us and there was no training for more than a week. But after that, we worked hard to catch up.”
With the Games approaching, Mawi believes her athletes are ready for the challenge.
“Overall, I think the kids are ready and they are looking forward to going to Suva to take part.”
She said the experience itself was a major milestone for the team.
“All these athletes are first timers at the Coca-Cola Games, so it is quite an achievement for them.”
