Ratu Finau Secondary School netball coach and teacher Iliesa Rasolo says his players have shown significant improvement after qualifying for the Crest Chicken Secondary School Netball Finals.
Ratu Finau Secondary School travelled from Lakeba Island to Suva to compete in the Under-15 and Under-17 grades.
Rasolo says the team began preparing early and is determined to make the most of the opportunity after a tough qualifying campaign.
He says reaching the nationals is a major achievement for the school, particularly after competing against some of the stronger schools during the mid-term competition.
However, playing in front of a large crowd and travelling to Suva presented new challenges for the young players.
Rasolo says the girls were nervous at first, particularly because it was their first experience playing in front of such a large crowd and against unfamiliar teams.
He says fundraising for the trip was another challenge, with parents taking the lead in making the team's participation possible.
Rasolo is encouraging more schools, particularly those from rural and remote areas, to take part in the national competition.
The Crest Chicken Secondary School Netball Competition continues today, with the finals to be played tomorrow.
Stay with us for updates.
