The Fiji Sports Council (FSC) off-season athletics training camp is a platform that provide athletes from minor schools an opportunity to train during the holidays.

Speaking to SUNsports, National athletics coach Ben Tafao’ou said most of the athletes from minor schools have talent but have no off-season training plan.

“It’s sad to see the kids faint or get injured when I watched all the athletics zones and interhouse last year as I work for FSC,” he said.

“It is because they are unfit, so I decided to run it by the FSC management if I could run an off-season camp to help these unfortunate kids and it was approved.”

Tafao’ou said they implemented a minimum charge of $20 a week for an athlete.

“Three weeks before Christmas, there were about 35 students so there is a lot of response,” he said.

“We invite everyone to come.

“There are experience former athletes such as Albert Miler and Banuve Tabakaucoro who will assist in high jumps and sprints respectively, I will also assist with long distance running.”

Tafao’ou said the athletes are taught the fundamentals and basics of training.

“We teach them the block starts, and we go through a six-week training programme,” he said.

“We got three weeks to go, they (athletes) are not late, come in because interhouse starts in February.”

Tafao’ou said the off-season training camp programme will end on January 24.

“The parents were so happy that they saw the change in their kids like time management as they woke up early for training and reached home on time in the afternoon,” he said.

“It’s also a discipline thing for the kids as it’s something to do during the holidays.”

Tafao’ou said the training camp is primarily focused on secondary school athletes in their preparation for the coke games.

“We want to see people much fitter because only the top schools do it, why not we open it to everybody and have the top coaches also helping unfortunate kids,” he said.

“Most of these kids have not competed before, they have talent, but they are scared because there are champions their schools.”

Tafao’ou said the training camp has influenced these athletes to compete in the interhouse.

“Some of them don’t even compete in the interhouse but after this they can’t wait for the interhouse because they know they did some training,” he said.

“We did the initiative with FSC and the coaches said they will be there because it’s something to help develop the sports in the future.”

Tafao’ou said athletes can still attend the training camp as there is time left.

“It is still open, and you still have two and a half weeks to come and do some general prep phase,” he said.

“It will prepare you better for your interhouse and to give you a chance to make your school team.”

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