Lelean U17: We’ll play for Pita
The members of the Lelean Memorial School Under-17 rugby team are determined to win today and dedicate it to teammate Pita Volau, who died last Sunday. While relatives were tightlipped about the Levukana, Vanuabalavu, native’s cause of death his teammates said they would use it to motivate them in today’s Powerade Super Deans Championship semifinal clash against Ratu Navula College at the ANZ Stadium, Suva. Coach Viliame Gucake said Pita, who was buried after a moving funeral service yesterday, had not been playing with the team since the quarterfinals. Ratu Kadavulevu School are the current holder of the U17 title.
The Lelean Memorial School Under-17 team are going to play with a heavy heart in today’s Powerade Super Deans Championship semifinal clash against Ratu Navula College at the ANZ Stadium, Suva.
The side farewelled their winger Pita Volau during a moving funeral church service in Caubati, Nasinu, yesterday LMS Under-17 coach Viliame Gucake said they are determined to go for a win and dedicate it to Volau Gucake said the Levukana, Vanubalavu native was one of their key players during their campaign.
“Pita started from the under-15 grade until now, his position is always on the wing and his loss has really touches the team as they look back at the good things that we’ve done together,” Gucake added.
“He is one person that always consider other player’s interest especially when a players is in need of something. Pita is always there to assist.
“He is a person that puts God first than everything comes later. Tomorrow’s game will just be a normal one for us. We will not want the loss of our team-mate to be an excuse rather we will give all our best and it will be dedicated to him. “One of the words of encouragement that Pita usually tells the players is vaqata, which is a Nadroga dialect. “This word means to be strong and to work as one team.” Gucake added that he is reminding the players about today’s game as they confident of making it to the finals next Saturday.
“We will be going with the aim to win the under- 17 title.”