McDonald’s League shows growth

Fiji Football Association’s McDonald’s League has shown growth over the years since its launch in 2023.

Head of football development south Meli Yasawa said the league was a crucial part of breeding the next generation of football players in the country.

Last Saturday’s competition saw a huge turnout of students from the three centres of Suva, Rewa and Navua.

The League is for Fiji FA’s talent identification where students are scouted from their schools and attend training session at their respective centres.

“The McDonald’s League is not about competition. It’s all about development, where we try and improve with the standard of the game,” Yasawa said.

“We try to grow and help the children understand what is football.

“We try to grow the game in regards to trying to play the ball from the back, build up, and how we create, and then we try to finish.”

Yasawa said they also guide students to become responsible athletes.

“We help children to come and enjoy a whole day of football. And we also build correct restrictions in regards to being a quality footballer.”

The League is held monthly at the Fiji FA grounds in Vatuwaqa with three grades; Under-10 boys, U12 boys and U14 girls and boys.

“At the end of the year, we have our McDonald’s All Star or McDonald’s IDC. From here the districts build their own team and then we head down to the West or here in the South to play the top teams from the districts. Maybe we can travel to the North in future.”