The Fijian Drua has taken an exciting step forward by launching its inaugural Academy, welcoming 29 talented players under the age of 16 as its first cohort. This initiative aims to nurture young rugby talent from across Fiji, with players identified from secondary school competitions and given the opportunity to enhance their skills at the Drua’s state-of-the-art facilities in Nadi.
The Academy’s participants will engage in specialized training led by Drua coaches and high-performance staff, as part of a comprehensive three-year development program. The selected players were chosen from a pool of 15 local secondary schools, with notable representation from Marist Brothers High School, which contributed six players, and Suva Grammar School, which provided four.
Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans emphasized the Academy’s goals, stating that it is designed to identify and cultivate rugby talent across the nation, starting with the under-16 category to create a sustainable career pathway into professional rugby. This includes a collaborative effort by Drua Scouts and various coaching personnel to ensure a thorough selection process.
Ben Takubu, the Programme Lead for the Academy, noted that the recruitment was based on the players’ performances in the Vodafone Deans Competition. The players will participate in a focused two-day camp, where they will develop their natural abilities alongside the demands of elite rugby.
A significant aspect of this Academy is the pathway it creates for the most promising players, allowing them to progress into the Drua Development program—an important stepping stone to potentially join the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Super Rugby Pacific squad.
The selected players reflect a diverse range of talent from various schools, showcasing the rich rugby culture in Fiji and the potential for future stars to emerge.
This initiative not only enhances the landscape of rugby in Fiji but also offers hope for the next generation of athletes to reach their dreams in professional sports, enriching the community and promoting healthy competition among young players.
For those interested, the list of selected players is highlighted, showcasing the promising futures that lie ahead for these young athletes.
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