The Fijian Drua has officially unveiled its Academy, welcoming 29 young athletes under the age of 16 as its inaugural cohort. This Academy, initiated by the Fijian Drua, is aimed at nurturing talent from local secondary school competitions. The selected players have entered into contracts with the Drua and will participate in several camps throughout the year at the club’s top-notch facilities in Nadi.
These young athletes will benefit from specialized training provided by Drua coaches and high-performance personnel as part of a three-year development program. The initial group of emerging talent was drawn from fifteen secondary schools across Fiji, with notable representations from Marist Brothers High School, contributing six players, and Suva Grammar School, with four players. Queen Victoria School, the reigning Vodafone Deans Secondary Schools champion, is also highlighted for having two players selected.
Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans expressed the Academy’s goal: “The Drua Academy is designed to identify, select and help develop a pool of players nationwide, starting this year with the Under 16 Category to create a sustainable pathway to professional rugby.” The player identification process involves a collaborative effort from Drua scouts, development coaching staff, FRU high-performance coaches, provincial coaches, and former national team players.
The Academy is a response to talent scouting from the Vodafone Deans Competition, with players undergoing a screening program before beginning their inaugural two-day training camp. Programme Lead Ben Takubu emphasized the focus on individualized coaching and training, aiming to prepare these young athletes for the demands of professional rugby by the time they complete high school. The most talented among them could segue into the Drua Development program, bringing them closer to joining the elite Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Super Rugby Pacific squad.
The selected athletes comprise a diverse group from various schools, showcasing Fiji’s rich rugby talent pool. This initiative not only provides these young players with vital training and experience but also fosters hope for the future of Fijian rugby and its representation on global stages.
In summary, the launch of the Fijian Drua Academy marks a significant step forward in nurturing the next generation of rugby talent in Fiji. With a structured pathway towards professional rugby, this program promises to elevate these young athletes and secure a brighter future for the sport in the region. It highlights the commitment to developing homegrown talent and creating lasting opportunities for success in rugby on both a local and national level.
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