Development Crucial, Says Nadi Coach

Nadi football head coach Viliame Toma is working on player’s development following their sixth place finish in the 2021 Digicel Premiere League table.

He hopes to return the Jet Setter’s lost glory.

Toma confirmed he has started making adjustments to the once powerhouse district.

“We finished the DPL season with 15 points and sixth on the ladder,” he said.

“That is not bad for us, we are a young side that are learning new

Since the formation of the Nadi team in 1937, they have won nine league championshionships from 1978-2015, six Inter-District Champions (IDC) hip titles (from 1969-2002) and five times Battle of the Giants winners from 1978-1996.

things in every game.

“All our games leading to the last one is a result of a new approach, we are in a re-building phase for Nadi.”

Toma was brought in to replace outgoing coach Salen Lal due to non-performance.

“My task is to develop and nurture these young players to adapt to the style of football played in the DPL,” he said.

“To accomplish that, we need to do a few adjustments to our campaign strategy. We must return our lost glory.”

Since the formation of the Nadi team in 1937, they have won nine

league championships from 19782015, six Inter-District Champions (IDC) titles from 1969-2002 and five times Battle of the Giants champs from 1978-1996.

Toma said attitude and mind¬set have to be right for the long run.

“We are still in the rebuilding phase. There was a lot of soul searching ahead of the new 2022 DPL season,” he said.

“These all start from the coaching staff on how we deliver our daily sessions. “We work with players on their attitude, dis¬cipline, character and trust.

“I’m grateful and thankful to the players for supporting me and the coaching staff in achieving and changing things around.

“These young players should know the culture and tradition about Nadi football,” he said.

“We are always up there with the champions because we were champs back in the days.

“It is time we will have introduce these kind of history lessons so these young players know the importance of wearing the green jersey.

“These are young players all they need is a little adjustment, once that is sorted watch us next season.

Photo: Fiji FA Media Nadi football team at the ANZ Stadium, Suva on December 5, 2021. Back: (from left) Serevi Waqa, Beniamino Lebatavatava, William Valentine, Tevita Ravia, Ame Votoniu, Vuniuci Tikomaimereke and Patrick Ralulu. Front: (from left): Tuiba Batiratu, Christopher Kumar, Eshan Kumar and Sakaraia Naisua.