Nadonumai Volleyball has built itself from the ground up, driven by determination and a clear purpose not only to compete, but to steer young people away from drugs and crime.

With no funding and no proper training facilities, the team has turned every challenge into motivation, working hard to earn its place in this year’s Vulaca, Vanua, and Easter Championships.

For the players, this journey is bigger than sport.

It is about changing how their community is seen, and proving that with discipline, unity, and hard work, something positive can grow even from the toughest beginnings.

Team captain Saimoni Kalidredre says nothing was going to stop this side from showing up and putting in the work to be part of the championship, not even the reality of training without a proper court.

“I wish you guys come to Nadonumai to see where we train for volleyball. We don’t have a court, and there were so many challenges that we overcame as a team to be here. We don’t have money or playing gear, but we have the vision to continue bringing our youth together to take part in these events, keeping them occupied and away from crime.”

They also understand that stepping onto this stage comes with financial demands, but despite many of them being unemployed, they have given everything they have just to compete with pride.

“When we prepared for this season, majority of our funds came from our gunusede. Whatever our boys managed to collect, no sponsorship, no nothing, but it was through the individuals and their sacrifices. You would understand that we started from scratch.”

Tournament director John Baleilomaloma says Nadonumai, along with Macuata, are new additions to the sanctioned tournaments, and their participation reflects the growing reach of volleyball across Fiji.

The Fiji Volleyball Association’s final sanctioned tournament concludes today at Laucala Bay in Suva.