The Lautoka Rugby Union is making strides to enhance its domestic competitions by introducing a new Tikina franchise, designed for an eight-week tournament aimed at improving team performances. The launch event took place at the Anchorage Beach Resort in Vuda, where LRU secretary Setariki Rakoto outlined the initiative’s goals.
This innovative concept incorporates four key pillars. The first is to facilitate the identification and selection of players for the Skipper Cup and ANZ Marama Championship. Second, it aims to foster participation from local businesses to support the franchise teams. Notable sponsors already on board include First Landing Resort, McDonald’s, Gecko’s Trucking, and BLK.
Rakoto emphasized that the success of this inaugural year would pave the way for future development, stating, “The team has to perform so we can be able to have the interest from the business communities.” Furthermore, the program includes a focus on coaching development and creating a pathway for players, as not everyone in the competition will reach the provincial level.
A significant highlight is the introduction of a women’s competition for the first time, addressing a gap in local women’s rugby. Currently featuring two teams, there are hopes to expand this to six by year-end. Competition matches are set to commence at Nadovu Park, starting with the women’s game between City Steelers and Duiyasana at 10 AM.
The emergence of a women’s competition echoes similar initiatives within Fiji, underscoring a growing commitment to inclusivity in sports. The positive momentum towards developing women’s rugby bodes well for the future of the sport in the region, reinforcing the importance of community support and athlete development.
This new franchise not only aims to elevate the standard of rugby in Lautoka but also represents a hopeful step forward in promoting opportunities for all athletes involved. As the tournament kicks off, it will be interesting to see the impact this initiative has on the rugby landscape in Lautoka and Fiji as a whole.
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