From Fiji Times Online (8 October 2011)

Glanville targets improvements

by Arin Kumar

THE only western team taking part in this year's Rotuma Games, Granville Sports Club, is looking at improving their performance from last year's competition.

The Nadi side is fielding a young contingent with some players competing in their first-ever Rotuma Games.

Club president Filipe Nakaora said even though the side faced some problems with training, they would not be easily defeated.

"Our preparations for the games this year was not as well as last year because most of the playing members are either unemployed or still in school," Nakaora said.

"Last year we did very well overall. A few new young players did impress us and we are looking forward to some improvements this year," he said.

"Since we are the only Western club participating this year, we are here to show our Suva brothers and sisters that the Nadi Rotuman youths are no push-overs."

He said participation at the Rotuman Games had been on the decline, so the committee had been doing their best in trying to promote other sports like touch rugby and table tennis.

"A few years back, we used to have our brothers and sisters from New Zealand come annually to participate in the Rotuman Games.

"There are a lot of wise and experienced Rotuman sports personnel and advisers out there that we hope they can help the committee in improving and making the tournament bigger and better," Nakaora said.

The aim of the tournament is to get the Rotuman youths to intermingle and know each other while promoting sportsmanship by sharing their skills and knowledge on different sports.

Granville Sports Club after their training run in Nadi Picture: Baljeet Singh