2022 Super W player of the final Vitalina Naikore, 22, has switched to rugby league; she has signed a three year contract with Australian National Rugby League (NRL) club North Queensland Cowboys women’s team.

The Nadivakarua, Kubulau, Bua native flew to Australia yesterday: She shares maternal links to Kilaka also in Kubulau.

Fiji Bati head coach Wise Kativerata said this was a huge signing for rugby league with Naikore’s strength and speed on the field.

He added that more Fijian women are expected to follow as NRL builds up its women’s competition- NRLW

“Vitalina is a good listener and is a hardworking player that was why she was signed for Cowboys,” Kativerata said.

“This year NRL wants to increase the women’s teams, by 2026 they should have 17 to 18 teams to play in the NRLW So they are starting to build up now, every year they add two or three.

“Every year the recruitment will go bigger especially in Fiji – I have a few others on the list.

“We are working with Fiji Secondary Schools girls to set up a pathway, they can go straight from secondary schools to NRL and they be paid straight away:

“It’s their choice – you want to work hard and make your way to the top, you do it.”

Kativerata said a women’s high performance unit similar to the men’s will be set up by July:

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Story by: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj