Rugby League targets schools

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) together with the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL), took its grassroots outreach programme to Rishikul Nadera Primary School in Nasinu yesterday.

Speaking to SUNsports, (ARLC) Commissioner Peter Beattie said engaging children at the grassroots level was important to developing healthy lifestyles and creating pathways in rugby league.

“Grassroots are the key to it all and schools are the key,” Beattie said.

“What we want to do is engage young Fijians at school. Not only in terms of pathways of opportunities, but develop healthy lifestyles, healthy eating, not doing drugs and if they do that as part of developing teamwork or as part of a community. They’ll have longer, healthier lives,” Beattie said.

He said the programme was part of a 10-year partnership funded by the Australian Government.

“We’re all friends, we’re all long-term partners. So we have an obligation to be supportive of Fijians in Fiji and that’s why the schools and grassroots are important,” he said.

Beattie said discussions had already begun with the Education Department on how the programme would be delivered in schools.

“We met with the education department (on Monday) about how we engage in schools. We’re obviously going to set up a working group with them to work out the best way to do that, to consult,” he said.

FNRL chairman Rajesh Singh said the programme marked an important step in taking rugby league into primary and secondary schools.

“This programme is so special. I think this is a great thing. As you know, rugby league was not in primary schools, but this is where we’re going,” Singh said.

“I think this thing will help our kids, especially healthy living, playing sports, and also once you play sports and all that, your mind will be more active.

“It helps in education too. So I think this is a big thing, a big leap for rugby league.”

Singh thanked Rishikul Nadera Primary School, the NRL Fiji team, Beattie and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for supporting the initiative.