Northland Struggles to Keep Head Above Water
Challenges they have been faced with this season are now their source of motivation. Northland women’s players have that at the back of their minds as they psyche up for their Royal Tea Ranadi Cup quarterfinal clash against Vatukoula this Saturday. Speaking to SUNsports, mangeress Unaisi Gaunavou said majority of their players do not have access to proper training grounds.
It is the enthusiasm of the players that makes Gaunavou improvise and design new approaches to keep their heads above the water.
“We have split up our squad into two sets of players training separately for the match against Vatukoula,” Gaunavou said.
“One group is training at Dawasasamu
and the other players are training at the Naiyala High School grounds.”
Gaunavou said the team would regroup at Natovi before they depart for Tavua on Friday.
“Majority of the girls often find it difficult to afford transportation costs and purchasing rugby boots,” she said.
Gaunavou said she told her players that it would be an uphill battle and their performance on the field would prove the critics wrong. A teacher by profession Gaunavou was busy last week with the Tailevu Zone (athletics).
“We couldn’t fundraise for our trip down to Tavua because I was busy with the athletics last week,” she said.
“We are hopeful and leaning towards our union to help us in our campaign to get to the final.” Gaunavou often requested a few of the girls in the squad to bring in root crops to help feed the team while in camp.
Twelve players are still in school with five attending Naiyala High, one at Tailevu North High, one attending Wainibuka Secondary and six at Dawasamu Secondary.
The youngest player is 15.
“The team has a goal to qualify for the ANZ Marama Championship next year,” she said.
“I told the schools in our zone that I’ll be accepting the girls in our team in preparation for the Weetbix Raluve competition in term two.
“These students are getting valuable game time before the Weet-bix Raluve competition.
“I often advise the players to play as a united mindset and enjoy the game,” she said.
“Our forwards lack the physic, we need to improve in the quarterfinal.” Gaunavou said the team does not have proper travelling attire and muscle vests.
“I coordinate a colour to the players and they bring a t-shirt according to the chosen colour to wear during warm-up.
“The men’s senior team travel with all the appropriate attire and equipment which can be deemed as gender inequality.” Gaunavou said they do not have proper gym equipment but improvise with unconventional rugby training using large tires and sandbags.
“This type of training test the players’ strength and endurance,” she said.
“I like to urge the supporters of Northland women’s team to come in numbers and cheer on the team at Tavua.”
Gaunavou said they would give a good game against a tough Vatukoula team.