Rugby league is experiencing remarkable growth in Fiji, with more than 100 schools now involved in the sport, including 34 teams for girls. This growth is part of a dedicated effort to create opportunities for young athletes in Fiji, particularly for those who may not have access to rugby union careers.
Waisea Kativerata, the head coach of Fiji Bati, is a key advocate for this initiative and stresses the distinct advantages that rugby league provides. He noted that the organization of rugby league is different from rugby union, emphasizing a professional approach to program management.
“We expect discipline, and we’re teaching young players how to be more organized,” Kativerata stated. He pointed out that rugby league can offer a quicker route to professional success when compared to rugby union, using the example of Semi Valemei, who transitioned from playing in Seqaqa to the NRL with Canberra in just two years.
This contrast highlights rugby union’s longer progression path, which typically takes much longer to traverse. The rugby league program prioritizes not only skill development but also the cultivation of a professional mindset among young athletes.
Core values such as discipline, punctuality, and hard work are fundamental to the rugby league system. This structured methodology is geared towards fast-tracking young players to achieve success both locally and on an international scale.
For many, rugby league serves as a crucial opportunity, offering scholarships, financial backing, and pathways to professional careers in Australia or New Zealand. Kativerata remarked, “Once you are at the top, you stay and for the next 4 to 5 years you get permanent residency and it’s up to you if you want to go back or you can retire there and live a good life in Australia.”