The Fijian Drua has officially inaugurated its Academy, welcoming its inaugural group of 29 talented players under the age of 16. This Academy represents a significant step in a broader initiative by the Fijian Drua aimed at nurturing young athletes within the sport of rugby.
The players have been scouted from various secondary school competitions and have signed contracts with the Fijian Drua, allowing them to gather multiple times a year in a dedicated training camp held at the club’s state-of-the-art facilities in Nadi. Over the next three years, these young athletes will partake in specialized skill development training led by experienced Drua coaches and high-performance staff as part of a comprehensive development program.
The first cohort, which convened today in Nadi, includes players selected from 15 local secondary schools across Fiji. Notably, Marist Brothers High School has contributed the highest number of recruits with six players, while Suva Grammar School follows closely with four. Additionally, the Vodafone Deans Secondary Schools champion, Queen Victoria School, has secured two spots in the program.
Mark Evans, the CEO of Fijian Drua, commented on the mission of the Drua Academy, stating that it is tailored to identify and nurture a selected group of players from throughout the nation, starting with the Under-16 category. He highlighted their aim to create a sustainable pathway to professional rugby, facilitated through a coordinated approach involving Drua Scouts, including development coaching staff, FRU high-performance coaches, provincial coaches, and former national players.
Ben Takubu, the Programme Lead for the Drua Academy, explained that the players were identified through the Vodafone Deans Competition and underwent a rigorous screening process. They are now commencing their first two-day camp. The program is designed to provide focused coaching and specialized training for each athlete to enhance their natural abilities alongside the demands of playing professional, elite-level rugby. The most promising players from this Academy will have the opportunity to progress into the Drua Development program, potentially bringing them one step closer to joining the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Super Rugby Pacific squad.
This initiative marks a hopeful beginning for young Fijian rugby talents, paving the way for their development and future opportunities in professional rugby. It reflects a commitment to fostering the next generation of athletes, ensuring a bright future for the sport in Fiji.
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