The Fijian Drua has officially inaugurated its Academy, welcoming an impressive cohort of 29 players under 16 years of age as its inaugural group. This initiative aims to nurture young rugby talent in Fiji and is part of the broader commitment of the Fijian Drua to develop sustainable pathways to professional rugby.
The players were scouted from local secondary school competitions and will benefit from a structured development program over the next three years. They will participate in annual training camps at the Drua’s state-of-the-art facilities located in Nadi, where they will receive specialized skills training from experienced coaches and high-performance staff.
The first group of recruits comprises players from 15 secondary schools nationwide, with Marist Brothers High School contributing the highest number at six players, followed by Suva Grammar School with four. Notably, Queen Victoria School, the Vodafone Deans Secondary Schools champion, has two players in this new academy.
Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans emphasized the purpose of the academy, stating that it is intended to identify and develop a select pool of players, providing them with the resources to enhance their skills and prepare for professional rugby. The selection process involved a thorough screening by Drua scouts, which includes coaches from the Drua Development team, the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) High Performance unit, provincial coaches, and former Flying Fijians players.
Drua Academy Programme Lead Ben Takubu elaborated on the athletes’ recruitment, highlighting that they were selected from the Vodafone Deans Competition and will kick off with a two-day camp. He underscored the academy’s mission to cultivate each player’s natural abilities while meeting the demands of elite-level rugby. The program also introduces a pathway for the top performers to advance into the Drua Development program, bringing them closer to joining the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Super Rugby Pacific squad.
The selected players showcase the potential of young athletes across various schools, highlighting the significant investment in their futures and the potential benefits for Fijian rugby as a whole.
This academy marks a significant milestone not just for the Fijian Drua organization but for rugby development in the region. It reflects a positive commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering a new generation of players who can compete at higher levels.
The initiative embodies hope and promise, providing young athletes with opportunities that can elevate their skills and potentially lead to successful careers in professional rugby.
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