The Fijian Drua launched their inaugural Schools 7s Remote Community Challenge at Vinod Patel Park in Ba yesterday. The one-day event gathered nine schools from the remote regions of Ba, Ra, and Navosa.
Participating schools included Nalotawa District School, Tokaimalo District School, Nasivikoso Village School, Nadarivatu Primary School, Nasau District School, Magodro District School, Navala Catholic, Nakorotubu District School, and Namataku District School.
The young athletes displayed their rugby skills in a competition aimed at providing these rural schools with opportunities often available only to urban counterparts. Baden Stephenson, general manager of the Drua’s high-performance unit, stated that the main purpose of the Remote Community 7s Challenge is to give rural schools a platform for organized rugby events.
“This is essentially our Rural Schools Challenge, and we’re excited to have nine teams participating. There’s a lot of enthusiasm among the schools, and we have already received interest from six other schools wishing to join next year. Our goal is to expand to 15 teams by that time,” said Stephenson.
He stressed the Drua’s commitment to expanding the sport in rural areas, emphasizing the necessity for regular competition for school children who typically miss out on these experiences. “We have a responsibility to grow the game. For these students, opportunities for organized play are rare, making this event a great opportunity for them,” he noted.
Stephenson further underscored the significance of community involvement in the Drua’s objectives. “We want to engage with the community, promote the game, and support the next generation of players. It’s also important to connect with teachers and parents from these schools,” he added.
The event is planned to become an annual occurrence, providing rural schools with an event to anticipate each year. Stephenson suggested that future expansions could involve local schools in the competition.
“Our strategy is to support remote schools that lack the same access to opportunities as those in major cities. This is a fantastic initiative, and there’s considerable enthusiasm among the schools. This year, our focus is on the Western Division to gauge interest and evaluate how the day unfolds. We’ll assess this year’s event and aim to enhance it moving forward,” concluded Stephenson.