Seventy six teams from schools all over Fiji will be competing in the 2018 Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League (FSSRL) competition.
This was confirmed by FSSRL president Iosefo Volau during the launching of their competition at the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) headquarters in Suva, yesterday.
“Last year we had 41 teams but this has increased to 76 teams which indicate interest in the sport which is good,” Volau said.
These new teams include schools like Ahmadiya Muslim Secondary School in Narere.
“This competition is a perfect platform to prepare our future players for national duties and playing in big competitions like the National Rugby League (NRL).”
FNRL chief executive officer Timoci Naleba said the onus was on each player to fully utilise this platform through discipline, training and working hard.
“It is all up to them how they want to make use of it.”
SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME
Naleba said they had not applied for the scholarship scheme from the Fiji National Sports Commission.
“Athletics, rugby and other sports have taken advantage of this scheme and I think it is about time that we make use of it too.”
The FNRL and the FSSRL are planning to secure partnership with overseas clubs so that they can attachment for a few weeks on a rotational basis.”
COUNSELLING FOR PLAYERS
Volau complimented teachers who played multiple roles from coaching, counselling and teaching students.
“They are the silent workers in all this and we also thank them for also providing counselling sessions for these players.
“It is not very likely that players who have gone through our system do not make it successfully when they secure contracts overseas, because they are groomed well by our teachers who are also their coaches.
These counselling sessions included player awareness programmes the accommodated both on and off-field situations.
NEW FNRL FACILITY
FNRL needs a new facility that can accommodate for all these development programs in order to be competitive on the international level.
FNRL had been granted a piece of land in Narere, Nasinu and has been working with the Nasinu Town Council.
Edited by Osea Bola
Feedback: peni.komaisavai@fijisun.com.fj
