Avele College has attributed their win in the Senior Boys title at the Zone A Athletics meet to vigorous and intensive training carried out by the team four weeks prior to last week's event.

The school took out the Senior Boys title despite heavy competition from Leifiifi College who had been the hot favourites to dominate the division and Vaimauga College whose team was especially strong. 

It had been two years since the event was last held due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The coach of the Avele Athletics Squad, Ta’avili Tariu, told the Samoa Observer,  his team underwent a four-week training camp focusing on short-distance and long-distance running events and field events.

The specialisation, he said, which was key to the school's success in clinching the Senior Boys title for Zone A last week. 

”We first started preparations for the games on the first two weeks of the school holidays, and when the new term resumed two weeks ago we had already selected a team from the inter-house competition held on the ninth week of the first school term to represent Avele College at the Zone A meet. 

We went in as the underdogs but we surprised everyone when it was announced that we had won the Senior Boys title.” he said.

“For all the divisions, seniors, intermediate and juniors, we applied different training methods for each of them. The only thing they do collectively is when they start warming up and cooling down at the finish of every training session.”

“Another essential part of the training program was a repairing session where our physiotherapist would help in massaging sore muscles and any injuries our athletes acquired from training,” relayed Mr. Tariu.

Mr. Tariu further relayed that his team is now preparing to participate at the National Athletics Competition, the “Champ of Champs” that will be held on 20 August. 

He also relayed that he hopes his team will make the school proud at the games.

“I want to thank and acknowledge all the teachers who assisted in the preparations, as well as the students who represented Avele College at the meet, and to the parents of the athletes that supported and cheered us on at the Zone A Athletics Competition. We are not aiming to just participate at the Champ of Champs, we are in it to win it,” he said.