Western Primary Schools’ Athletics Association (WPSAA) in conjunction with Fiji Primary Schools’ Athletics Association (FPSAA) and Athletics Fiji hosted a one day workshop over the weekend at Jasper Williams Primary School in Lautoka which weas attended by primary school and special school teachers and was facilitated by Athletics Fiji Vice President and certified IAAF lecturer Mr. Vuli Waqa.
The importance of this workshop was highlighted by Andrew Pillay in his welcome speech, “We need to upgrade our teachers’ understanding of the rules and regulations surrounding track and field so that we can have a smooth flowing competition. More importantly so that our teachers are well equipped and can teach our kids correctly.”
WPSAA President Albert Wise also reiterated the significance of the workshop, “This workshop will help teachers facilitate kids and athletes to compete with fun.”
Some of the topics that were covered at the workshop included the general rules of track and field, management officials’ roles, event referees and their roles, events specific equipment and events specific rules. Despite the over whelming informative content of the workshop, Mr. Vuli Waqa continued to highlight the purpose of the workshop, “The day of competition is for the athletes and not us officials. You must disassociate yourself from your team and remember that you are there for all the athletes.”
No doubt the mission of FPSAA was very evident throughout the workshop with the twenty plus teachers that attended and the endless repetitive philosophy of “providing a transparent pathway for the development of athletic skills of young athletes, coaches and officials in an enjoyable and friendly environment.”