IT’S a special kind of pre-season experience for Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players Kemu Valetini, Brayton Legge, Etonia Waqa, Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala and Vuate Karawalevu. Stepping foot on Kadavu after a long time, some for the first time, is an experience like none other for these players. The Drua took their pre-season camp to Namalata Central School ground on Kadavu where they have been training since Tuesday.
Valetini who has never set foot on his village in Galoa felt privileged to reconnect with his roots. “We experienced something different coming back to the village, bringing all the boys here, training somewhere different, reconnecting with the people, the land and the hospitality has been unreal. It means a lot coming back to a place where my dad was born and left at such an early age so to come back here makes me feel happy and grateful.
” Also on home soil for the first time is Breyton Legge who hails from Lawaki Village in Nakasaleka. “It’s a very humbling experience, especially being at home for the first time. Coming off the boat was an eye opener.
Camping here seeing the big mountains and the sea behind us, it’s a very beautiful experience,” he said. Baselala, who is from Solotavui Village, beamed with excitement as his teammates got to see the beauty of the South. “It means a lot to me being back on my home soil.
It’s awesome that we got to do our team bonding here and show the boys my hidden paradise.” It’s more than just a tr.
