Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School has made use of the review of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Terms of Participation to strengthen its squad ahead of the Vodafone Super Deans Championship.
MGM coach Waliki Satakala says the school reached out to other schools like Marist Brothers High and Nasinu Secondary to improve its chances, with a player from Lami High set to join the side.
Satakala says the decision was made as the team aims to build consistency ahead of the national championship as the school is also dealing with injuries picked up during the zone competition.
He says some players are not expected to recover in time.
Satakala says the transfer window had already closed, as it was open before the zone eliminations, prompting the school to act within the available timeframe.
He says the player joining from Lami is a hooker who has previously played alongside many of the MGM players through Suva Kaji Rugby and is also part of the athletics programme.
Insert: Satakele on players 4th Aug
Speaking to fijivillage Sports about the Under-14 preparations, Satakele says Marist Brothers was kind enough to lend them some of their players.
He says MGM faces a difficult task in its opening Deans match against the defending champions, whose squad is made up mostly of Under-18 players.
Satakala says the team will do its utmost to manage the players it has available as it prepares for the challenge.
Meanwhile, he also says the school continues to place importance on both education and sport, with examinations scheduled from next Monday to Wednesday.
Satakala says MGM believes education and sport can co-exist, and the school is providing extra classes for students to help them balance their academic commitments with Deans preparations.
MGM High School will be represented in the U14 and U16 grade for the Deans competition, while their U18 girls will play in the Weet-Bix Raluve quarter finals.
The Deans National Quarters will be held at three venues for the first time this year.
Officials have confirmed that the three quarter finals will be held in Suva, Tavua and Savusavu.
