The Fijian Drua has formed an exciting new partnership with Fiji National University (FNU), which will now serve as the official catering supplier for the Club. This collaboration comes as the Fijian Drua Men and Women gear up for the 2025 seasons of Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific and Buildcorp Super Rugby Women, respectively. FNU has been tasked with providing tailored catering to meet the high-performance needs of the athletes.
The catering service includes meals and snacks that cater to the specialized dietary requirements of the Drua, and it will be managed by FNU’s College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies, particularly the School of Hospitality & Tourism.
Baden Stephenson, General Manager Rugby for Fijian Drua, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with FNU for their catering needs during pre-season training and throughout the Super Rugby season. He highlighted the Drua’s specific requirements for quality, portion sizes, flavor, and nutrition, noting that FNU’s skilled staff and excellent facilities at the Namaka campus were well-suited to meet those demands.
Stephenson mentioned that this partnership benefits both organizations. FNU is expected to gain substantial revenue, while its students and staff within the School of Hospitality & Tourism will gain practical culinary experience by preparing, delivering, and presenting meals for professional athletes. Fijian Drua players will benefit from high-quality nutrition prepared at FNU’s outstanding catering facilities by culinary professionals, supported by talented students.
Additionally, FNU students will have the opportunity to learn new skills in high-performance catering, with guidance from the Drua’s Strength and Conditioning experts, as well as dieticians.
FNU Vice-Chancellor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba emphasized the positive impact this initiative will have on graduates, particularly given the growth of Fiji’s sports market and the increase in international events. She shared her excitement about this unique collaboration, noting that it is a first for the university.
Nabobo-Baba stated, “We will provide meals for all players and management, ensuring that athletes receive the right meals, in the correct portions, and at the right times.” She added that this initiative will allow students to apply their classroom knowledge in a dynamic, real-world environment, enhancing their practical skills.
The catering services from Fiji National University have already commenced with the onset of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Men’s pre-season training.
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