Schools Rugby Hit Record Participation
A record 8240 rugby players from 89 schools will be participating in this year’s Vodafone Fiji secondary schools Deans and Raluve competitions.
Compared to 2019 there is an increase of 2000 athletes; this shows the growth of rugby in the country says Fiji Secondary School Rugby Association acting president Savenaca Muamua.
A total of 182 boys’ teams will play in the Deans competition while 77 from the 89 schools will feature in the secondary school ages groups competitions.
The Southern zone have 52 boys’ and 14 girls’ teams, Eastern zone has 30 boys’ along with 7 girls’ teams while the West zone will feature 68 boys’ and 24 girls’ teams.
The Northern division zone from four sub zones featuring 32 secondary schools.
He said the figures showed the increased interest from schools and growth for rugby.
“According to the principals as mandated by the Ministry of Education, only 18 year olds and above must be vaccinated.
“There are 2000 more players this year, there are now 8000 players; last time it was about 6000. It means that rugby is growing and the initiative came from the national women’s team performance in the Super W.
“The shortest way they can take to Super Rugby is through the Fijian Drua teams and that has been the main incentive for the growth in secondary school rugby.
“Girls have been participating but only in sevens, for this year they will have a separate competition. It will launched at the Fiji Rugby Union headquarters tomorrow (today),” he added.
Meanwhile, the Vodafone Deans national quarterfinals will be held at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on September 24, semifinals at Prince Charles Park, Nadi on October 1 and finals at Churchill Park, Lautoka, on October 8.
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
