Nadi Aviators team celebrate their victory. Photo: ANA SOVA
By Ana Sova
The Nadi Aviators have been crowned pioneer champions of the 2016 Fiji National Rugby League Vodafone Inter-Zone Competition.
The inter zone had replaced the Vodafone Cup competition where Top 8 clubs in Fiji competed whereas now it is a battle between district teams.
During the final that was held at Cakobau Park in Nausori earlier this month, Nadi Aviators beat Suva Eagles 38-30 walking away with a cheque of $2,000 prize money.
It’s Under 20 team had also beaten Nasinu Titans 19-12 coming home with a cheque of $1,000.
The Nadi Aviators team is made up of players from rugby league clubs, Ravoravo Rabbitohs, Sabeto Roosters, Nadi Eels, Navatulevu Heron, Momi Tigers, Savunawai Storms and Malawai Sea Eagles.
Despite limited resources, players traveling from remote places, juggling training with their jobs and harsh weather condition these did not deter the Aviators from achieving their plan.
Nadi Aviators President, Joe Gray said this was an enormous achievement.
“It’s something that we’ve planned right from the beginning with the executive committee drafting our plans together with our constitution and the game plan that was set with the technical officials, coach and the trainers,” Mr. Gray said.
“Today was achievement day”.
He said he was proud of the efforts and sacrifices the players made throughout the preparation.
“There was unavailability of transport at times and some players lived in remote places while some who were working and couldn’t get release from work to attend team trainings and meetings but I’m glad that they found their own time to commit to their individual training making sure they were up to par with rest of the team,”
“And this showed in their performance in the field today,” Mr. Gray said.
He said they wanted to glorify God in their win.
“In every aspect of our trip that we’ve done from when we started until today we’ve always declared it to the Lord. That was a spiritual intervention that can only motivate the boys and actually guide them through the proper track of discipline, being humble and also to have confidence,” Mr. Gray said.
Meanwhile, Under 20 Captain, Timoci Namotukula said the team went through a lot of hardships but they did not lose hope nor give up.
The Nadi Aviators Under 20 team after their victorious campaign. Photo: ANA SOVA
“We wanted to win and we knew we had to work hard and make a lot of sacrifices,” Mr. Namotukula said.
The 20 year old dedicated the win to all the players, the coach, technical team and management not forgetting their families and supporters.