SHE is the team captain and has to lead with example. Saint Joseph's Secondary School athletics captain Loyola Nawalu did exactly what is expected from her as team leader.
She won gold and silver in the senior girls long jump and triple jump respectively at the Fiji Finals at the National Stadium yesterday.
Kesaia Rawea, of Nausori High School, took silver in the long jump while Tarusila Wainica settled for bronze for Koro High School.
Nawalu, the daughter of former Wallaby Paulo Nawalu said her role in the team challenged her to win medals.
"Two days before the Fiji Finals, my teacher approached me and told me that I will be the first athlete to take part. And since I am the team captain I should motivate the girls by trying to win a medal," Nawalu said.
"That was the reason that I won gold today (yesterday)." She said her win had set the platform for her teammates as they progress in the competition.
"I challenged the girls to leave the Fiji Finals with no regrets and that they should give their best in whatever events they took part in."
Her brother Manueli Nawalu was the last person in the family to win medal at the Games. The Form Six student said the gold and silver medals were her first at the Fiji Finals.