VANUABALAVU’S first appearance at the Vodafone Kaji and Kajiana Central 1 Championships is about more than winning games — it is about discovering where their young players stand.
The Vanuabalavu under-14 side, made up of players from six schools across the island, is the only team representing Vanuabalavu at the tournament, proudly carrying the hopes of the island and Lau province.
The championships began at the Saint Marcellin School grounds in Suva yesterday, with Vanuabalavu opening its campaign against Serua.
They went down 12-0, but for head coach Feresi Dauqito, the result was secondary to the experience his young players are gaining against teams from the capital.
“Our main objective is to expose these young players to the standard of rugby being played here in Suva and see where we stand,” Dauqito said.
“It is also about identifying the areas we need to improve when we return home. This is a learning experience for the players and an opportunity for them to gain confidence.”
For a team drawn from six schools on Vanuabalavu, making the journey to Suva is an achievement in itself.
Dauqito said his players were determined to make the most of the opportunity and represent their island and province with pride.
Captain and fly-half Josefa Magitilailai said his first taste of rugby in the capital had been an eye-opening experience.
“It has been an eye-opening experience for us,” Magitilailai said.
“We have seen the level of rugby here and we know we have to prepare better, stay focused and play until the final minute.”
The 14-year-old also has his eyes set beyond this tournament, with hopes of joining Marist Brothers High School next year.
For Magitilailai and his teammates, the championships provide an opportunity to experience the level of competition they could face as they progress in their rugby careers.
While victory remains an ambition, Vanuabalavu knows the greater reward could come from the lessons taken back to Lau.
For these young players, the Vodafone Kaji and Kajiana Central 1 Championships is not simply a tournament.
They are a measuring stick — and a chance for the only team from Vanuabalavu to show that the island’s young rugby talent can compete on the capital’s biggest stage.
