Auvray: Fiji needs stronger player development

Bula FC head coach Stephane Auvray says it is in the club's best interest to select the best available talent from Fiji and the region.

"We've been explaining to the clubs and districts that everybody has a part of the responsibility; but Bula FC, as a professional team, has to choose the best talents," Au­vray said.

"In order to have the best talents, there must be a development sys­tem."

He said players needed to start de­veloping their football skills from as young as four years old.

"They must go through some kind of football school. There are steps you must follow, and you get to the top of the pyramid and pick those players for the professional setting.

"The issue is we have none of this. There is no development sys­tem in every single district where you can just pick the best players at the ages of 16, 17 and 18."

Auvray said many Fijian players had undergone their football devel­opment overseas, including in Aus­tralia, England and New Zealand.

"It shows in their ability; their approach to the game and their pro­fessionalism because they know how it should be done.

"Unfortunately; Fijian players do not have that same development pathway. I find myself working with 20-year-old players, trying to develop them and teach them things that should have been taught at a young age."

Auvray said this could be frustrat­ing for both him and the players.

Auvray said Bula FC had ex­ceeded expectations after finish­ing third in the points table in the inaugural OFC Pro League season.

"I have to recognise that the play­ers found the resources to adapt to the challenges they faced. I also loved their teamwork and work ethic.

"I heard about the fitness and dis­cipline, and I think it was about the culture."

Auvray said his player selection was based on building a team cul­ture that promoted discipline and fitness.

He highlighted young player Mai­kah Dau, who began playing at 16 and is now 17, as an example of the type of development Bula FC want­ed to encourage.

"This is what we want for Fiji - players we develop who can blend into the professional environment and perform."

Auvray was pleased with Dau's contribution during the season, with the youngster recording one goal and two assists.

"This is a positive, and hopefully we are moving forward to build a fan base where players start to buy into Bula FC's culture and support us because it is difficult at times to play in an empty stadium, especial­ly at home.

"We have to build on this and bring more upcoming players to the table, like Maikah Dau. That is why we do this."

Auvray said experienced players were included in the squad to pro­vide a balance with younger talent.

"There is something lacking in Fiji, and that is attacking players. Roy Krishna is 38 years old and he is still our best attacking player.

"We signed international players in attacking positions because we are lacking players there. That is what we want to challenge through our youth signings."

Auvray said the club would con­tinue preparing young attacking players in the hope that they would take over those positions in the coming years.