Scholarships to China available, says Sewabu

Four rugby scholarships to China are available for students competing in the Vodafone Super Deans Trophy competition.

Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) chief executive officer Koli Sewabu said yesterday the selection would focus on players whose schools reach the play-offs in the Under-17 and U18 grades.

The full scholarships are part of the FRU’s partnership with Huagang Rugby Club in China.

Four students began studying at Beijing University this year under the programme.

“It’s actually working well for us,” Sewabu said.

“It’s an opportunity for them not only to pursue rugby, but also the academic side of things for their life after rugby initiatives.

“As a result of that and the way things are going in China with our four boys and the standard that they’ve set, Huagang Rugby, Beijing University is now offered four more scholarships for the next year.

“Over the next couple of weeks, we will be reaching out to the head of schools, especially to the ones who’ve made the play-offs in the under-17 and under-18 programmes, and we’ll go through a selection process to pick the top four students.

“I thank Huagang Rugby Club and FitzRub, and I take this time to also like to send our best wishes to all schools that have made it to the finals.”

The four scholarship recipients this year include, Deans Trophy-winning captain Lemeki Ravukivuki of Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) and Nasinu Secondary School (NSS) first-five eighth Iowane Nabe.

The other players are Alowesi Nakarawa, Soko Nawaqatabu, Eroni Seru, Josevata Veibete and Vilimoni Taqiri.