The Fijian Drua has officially inaugurated its Academy, welcoming its inaugural cohort of 29 players aged under 16. This initiative is part of the Fijian Drua’s commitment to developing local talent.
Players were identified through participating in the secondary school competition and subsequently signed contracts with the Fijian Drua. They will convene several times a year for training camps at the Club’s state-of-the-art facilities in Nadi. Over the course of three years, these young athletes will undergo specialized skills training from Drua coaches and high-performance staff as part of a structured development program.
The first group of players, selected from fifteen secondary schools across the nation, includes a notable six recruits from Marist Brothers High School and four from Suva Grammar School. Additionally, the Vodafone Deans Secondary Schools champions, Queen Victoria School, contributed two players to this pioneering program.
Mark Evans, the CEO of Fijian Drua, expressed enthusiasm about the Academy’s purpose, stating, “The Drua Academy is designed to identify, select and help develop a pool of players nationwide starting with the Under 16 Category, aiming to create a sustainable pathway to professional rugby.” He emphasized the comprehensive player identification process conducted by Drua Scouts, comprising development coaches, FRU high-performance coaches, provincial coaches, and former national team players.
Ben Takubu, the Program Lead for the Drua Academy, mentioned that the players were recruited from the Vodafone Deans Competition and underwent a thorough screening process. He highlighted the significance of the upcoming two-day camp, where dedicated coaching will help these talented individuals refine their skills to meet the demands of elite-level rugby. The best performers in this program will have a chance to join the Drua Development program, setting them on the path to potentially being part of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Super Rugby Pacific squad.
This initiative marks a significant step forward for rugby in Fiji, fostering young talent and providing them with opportunities for professional growth in the sport. By investing in youth development, the Fijian Drua Academy is not only enhancing individual players but also strengthening the future of rugby in Fiji.
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