The Fijian Drua has officially launched its Academy, marking a significant milestone with the enrollment of 29 players under the age of 16 as its inaugural cohort. This initiative aims to nurture young talent within Fiji’s rugby landscape.
Scouted primarily from local secondary school competitions, these young athletes will participate in training camps several times a year at the Fijian Drua’s state-of-the-art facilities in Nadi. Over the three-year development program, players will receive specialized skills training from Drua coaches and high-performance staff.
The first group of recruits hails from fifteen secondary schools across Fiji, with Marist Brothers High School leading the way by contributing six players, followed by Suva Grammar School with four selections. Notable inclusions also come from the Vodafone Deans Secondary Schools champion, Queen Victoria School.
Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans emphasized that the Academy’s primary goal is to develop a pipeline of talent, stating, “The Drua Academy is designed to identify, select and help develop selected pool of players nationwide.” The comprehensive program also involves a collaborative player identification effort by a seasoned team, including Drua Development Coaching Staff, FRU High Performance Coaches, provincial coaches, and former Flying Fijians players.
Drua Academy Programme Lead Ben Takubu highlighted the rigorous recruitment process, saying the young players have already begun their first two-day training camp. He expressed optimism that through dedicated coaching and tailored training, these teenagers will refine their skills and meet the demands of elite-level rugby by the time they graduate from high school. Promising players from this Academy will advance to the Drua Development program, creating a pathway towards joining the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Super Rugby Pacific squad.
This initiative not only serves to strengthen the foundation of Fijian rugby but also instills hope for the future of the sport in the region. By investing in youth, the Fijian Drua is building a sustainable model that could potentially unveil a plethora of rugby talent on an international scale.
In summary, the launch of the Fijian Drua Academy presents an exciting opportunity for young athletes, showcasing a pathway to professional rugby and encouraging the growth of the sport throughout Fiji. This forward-thinking approach bodes well for the future of rugby in the nation, fostering both athletic talent and a spirit of teamwork among the youth.
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