The Fijian Drua has proudly launched its inaugural Academy, welcoming 29 talented players under the age of 16 as its first cohort. This initiative aims to nurture young rugby talent in Fiji, providing a structured development path for aspiring athletes.
Players were identified through the national secondary school competitions, with the selection process resulting in contracts with the Fijian Drua. The Academy will host these young athletes several times a year at the club’s top-notch facilities in Nadi, where they will undergo specialized training from Drua coaches and high-performance experts over a comprehensive three-year program.
The first group, which convened today in Nadi, was chosen from 15 secondary schools across Fiji, with Marist Brothers High School contributing the highest number of players at six, followed by Suva Grammar School with four. The reigning Vodafone Deans Secondary Schools champions, Queen Victoria School, have two players included in this talented group.
Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans emphasized that the Drua Academy is designed to discover and develop promising players nationwide, starting with the Under-16 category, thus creating a sustainable pathway to professional rugby. The program includes a well-coordinated player identification process led by Drua scouts, which consists of various coaching staff and former Flying Fijians.
Ben Takubu, the Programme Lead, elaborated that the players were scouted from the Vodafone Deans Competition and have begun their journey with a two-day training camp. He highlighted the Academy’s commitment to cultivating each player’s natural abilities and preparing them for the demands of elite-level rugby.
Upon completion of the program, the most promising players will have the opportunity to impress the coaching staff and potentially advance to the Drua Development program, bringing them closer to joining the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Super Rugby Pacific squad.
This initiative marks a significant step for the Fijian Drua in nurturing youth talent and reinforcing the development of rugby in Fiji. It offers hope, not only for the selected players aspiring to professional careers in rugby but also for the sport’s future in the country. With dedicated commitment to training and skill development, the Academy is set to contribute greatly to both the players’ growth and the overall success of Fijian rugby on the international stage.
The selected players for the inaugural Drua Academy include:
1. Viliame Daurua – Suva Grammar School
2. Sesoni Tamani – Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School
3. Ravuama Kunahau – Ba Pro Free Bird Institute
4. Alivereti Susau – Suva Grammar School
5. Daris Khan – Ratu Sukuna Memorial School
6. Christian Oakley – Marist Brothers High School
7. Sowane Baravilala – Levuka Public School
8. Seremaia Salikoro – Natabua High School
9. Donald Radiva – Ratu Navula College
10. Viliame Bale – Labasa College
11. Jone Niumataiwalu – Queen Victoria School
12. Eremasi Nasilasila – Marist Brothers High School
13. Paula Tuvalo – Ba Pro Free Bird Institute
14. Rafaele Waqalala – Swami Vivekananda College
15. Isoa Bakeidaku – Labasa Sangam (SKM) College
16. Joshua Tawake – Suva Grammar School
17. Peni Nakarawa – Sila Central High School
18. Usaia Saumi – Marist Brothers High School
19. Asi Fuli – Marist Brothers High School
20. Emosi Vucago – Cuvu College
21. Saula Koroi – Suva Grammar School
22. Sefanaia Naqama – Sila Central High School
23. Alifereti Raka – Queen Victoria School
24. Solomoni Senikuraciri – Niusawa Methodist High School (Taveuni)
25. Timoci Nagusa Jnr – Marist Brothers High School
26. Vatemosi Ravonu – Ratu Kadavulevu School
27. Jone Raibevu – Queen Victoria School
28. Aporosa Lalabalavu – Marist Brothers High School
29. Epeli Rabaka – Marist Brothers High School
This initiative is an exciting development for rugby in Fiji and symbolizes a commitment to fostering the next generation of rugby talent.
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