TEAM FIJI
Team Fiji Rugby League 9's Coaching staff will be concentrating on the mental preparation of its athletes as they prepare for the 2019 Pacific Games.
Team Fiji Rugby League 9's Coaching staff will be concentrating on the mental preparation of its athletes as they prepare for the 2019 Pacific Games.
Men’s Section Manager Tevita Korosaya said they hoped to have the final team of 20 athletes confirmed at the end of this month.
"The athletes are making it hard for us because their fitness level has been really impressive as well as their commitment," he said.
"But what is really impressive for us has been their mental strength especially after each grueling physical session, the boys are still able to dig deep and continue to do whatever coach requires of them."
Tevita said their athletes have shown impressive mental fortitude in their training sessions and this has helped them as a team before,during and after training sessions.
"Coach usually takes them through some really tough physical sessions and when these sessions finish he has them doing ball work," he said.
"It is amazing to see that despite being physically tired these boys will not drop a ball or lag behind because the coaching staff is also working on their mental game and challenging them as individuals."
Tevita said the mental training is an important component of their preparation which began in October of last year.
"We have had some challenges with some athletes were seen not to be on par with the expectations of the coach.
"So we have had to let some of these athletes go,"Tevita said.
He said they would do all the prep work required before heading to Samoa.
"Right now everyone on Team Fiji wants to win gold and we are no different.
"We believe in our preparation which began last year because we prepare to win and that is the mindset we would like to take with us to the Games," Tevita said.
Meanwhile, Fiji Bati Coach Brandon Costin has been impressed with the set up and preparation undertaken by coach Vula Dakuitoga and his team.
Tevita said players will be released to take part in the Vodafone Cup Competition for an opportunity to impress the national coach.
"We are hopeful that the core of this team we currently have will be part of the team that will participate in the New South Wales Cup at the end of the year," he said.
Tevita said Coach Costin will also look at players before the Pacific Tri-Nations test against Papua New Guinea and Tonga before the 2019 Pacific Games.
Team Fiji Rugby League Men's were unlucky not to have won a medal at the last Pacific Games in PNG where they finished fourth.
