Fifty-seven young rugby players from various Fiji Secondary Schools zones participated in a two-day screening event held at the Fijian Drua base in Nadi this week. Out of these participants, only 30 will be chosen for the inaugural Drua Academy cohort.
Ben Takubu, who leads the Drua Academy program, explained that the screening involved assessments from a range of coaches, including former Flying Fijians representatives. The players also had the opportunity to train with the Drua’s high-performance coaches, Naca Cawanibuka and Eroni Sotutu.
“We conducted extensive recruitment from the Fiji Secondary Schools zones, attracting players from the northern, southern, and western divisions,” Takubu noted. The academy aims to nurture local talent and minimize the likelihood of players being lured away by scouts from overseas.
The selected players will be 18 years old and younger, which is a crucial age when many talented athletes consider moving abroad for better opportunities. “Essentially, the academy is designed to support players under 18 from local schools, focusing on their skill development,” Takubu stated.
He expressed excitement about the talent pool they have seen and optimism for what the program will achieve. The players also had a chance to observe the training of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians during their time at the base.
Ultimately, the final 30 players will receive contracts from the Drua.