Fijian Primary St Annes Tavel to Auckland to compete in AIMS

The Zespri AIMS Games, which began on lastweek in Tauranga, has already proven to be a memorable experience for the St Anne’s Primary School netball team from Suva, Fiji.

Competing for the first time in this prestigious tournament, the team, dubbed the “Suva Ferns,” was warmly welcomed with an emotional pōwhiri that moved many of the players to tears.

The powerful kapa haka performance from Tauranga Intermediate School set the tone for what has been described as a life-changing event for the girls.

The team, which consists of 12 young athletes, worked tirelessly to fundraise for the trip, selling traditional Fijian meals and kava barrels to cover the costs.

For many of the girls, this is their first time leaving Fiji, adding even more significance to their journey.

Milli Caginavanua, head of St Anne’s, expressed in an interview with AIMS, “Some of the girls have travelled to New Zealand before, but a lot have not. It will be a lot of learning for them to fly out of their own country, for those who have not flown before, and to feel the freedom of going. It is exciting for them.”

The players have already embraced the spirit of the tournament by exchanging cultural gifts with their opponents and even sharing some with local reporters.

The girls have also been motivated to excel academically, with the opportunity to compete internationally pushing them to work harder in school.

“It means a lot to them to represent their school in New Zealand, so it has been a motivating factor for them to come to school. I want them to live the dreams I had. This could be their future,” Caginavanua added.

Adding to the excitement, former international netball star Vilimaina Davu visited the team to offer encouragement and support.

Davu, who has represented both Fiji and New Zealand, praised the opportunity these girls have to compete in New Zealand, widely regarded as one of the most competitive netball nations.

Coach Ana Koroi expressed the team’s enthusiasm for the competition, saying, “The girls have been watching the Silver Ferns. We know it is good exposure for them to play internationally and learn as much as they can when they go out there.”

The team had been training intensely, competing in local Suva tournaments and proudly bringing home several trophies, which now sit in their school’s head office.

While their exact match results have yet to be highlighted in major reports, the Suva Ferns have captured the hearts of many and will undoubtedly carry the memories and lessons from AIMS Games for years to come.

Their journey reflects the spirit of camaraderie and cultural exchange that defines the tournament.