Na Soko opens new pathway for Fiji’s young rugby talent
Zone to select U16, U18 girls and boys’ teams for the new pathway tournament
Thursday 30 July 2026 | 09:00
Each zone to select Under-16, U18 girls and boys’ team for the new pathway tournament.
Photo: Leon Lord
Students in the Under-16 and Under-18 divisions will have a new pathway to showcase their talent following the conclusion of the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Deans competition.
The Na Soko age-grade competition will feature both boys and girls teams from the two divisions.
Fiji Rugby Union interim chief operations officer Talemo Waqa said all zones would select teams for the tournament, with players identified for High Performance Unit (HPU) scholarships after the competition.
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The Na Soko initiative is co-sponsored by World Rugby and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through World Rugby, Fiji Rugby Union and the Fiji Secondary School Rugby Union.
“This is to enhance best selection of our teams, rather than them being selected from just watching these games, they are now selected to represent the four zones.
“I believe the HPU is looking at 20 to 30 girls for now,” Waqa told SUNsports yesterday.
“Some funding are set aside for the scholarship, especially our girls.
“Our boys have been there in the scholarship, we want more girls to be under scholarship.”
The teams will be coached by qualified coaches selected from the zones, supported by strength and conditioning coaches and team managers.
The teams will assemble in Nadi for three to four round-robin matches, where coaches and strength and conditioning staff will also undergo training with World Rugby.
Waqa said referees from the region would also take part in high-performance referee workshops to add value to the competition and support development.
“The high performance coaches, national sevens, 15s selectors will be there plus World Rugby officials.
“They’ll be able to select the best U18 men’s and women’s team. These two teams will be on standby as we continue discussing for their likely tours afterwards. That’s still in the discussion.
“We believe that’s a better way to selecting our players.”
Waqa added schools would be allowed to field teams made up of different age combinations, including a 50-50 split of Under-15 and Under-16 players or a 60-40 combination.
The same approach will apply to Under-18 teams, which can include a percentage of Under-17 players.
“We are doing that is because we can have these scholarships for at least U15, 16, 17, 18 girls and boys.”
