“It’s really interesting talking to some of the Drua boys now who are back in the team who went away and have come back and said, you know, I didn’t really want to go.
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua halfbacks Simione Kuruvoli and Frank Lomani (facing camera) during training in Nadi on February 13, 2025. Photo: Fijian Drua
The Fijian Drua foundation which was launched yesterday at the Tanoa Plaza, Suva, has set out a number of goals to achieve including rugby development.
The charitable arm of the franchise funds the Drua Academy, which wishes to expand in future with other age groups in the Under-14 and 15 grades including a girls’ team.
Drua chief executive officer (CEO) Mark Evans made the announcement; he will also be a trustee along with Tewaka managing director James Sowane, Law Naivalu Practising Solicitor Mosese Naivalu and Fiji Airways’ chief financial officer Naomi Vuibureta. They are also assisted by former Fiji men’s 7s head coach Ben Ryan while another high profile individual will be named in a few weeks time.
With the support to the Drua academy Evans hopes it will lessen the number of the young players who move overseas in their early teens who become eligible for other nations. These players include Virimi Vakatawa, Sevu Reece, Joe Rokocoko, and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
“The Drua Academy has been created to allow young Fijian rugby talent to stay on the island, without having to leave their family and their community behind. They will still have a clear development route to a career in professional full-time rugby with the Drua’s ongoing participation in the Super Rugby Pacific competition,” he said.
Mark Evans. Photo: Leon Lord
“It’s really interesting talking to some of the Drua boys now who are back in the team who went away and have come back and said, you know, I didn’t really want to go.
“If we can put the right structures in place in Fiji through the academy and through other improvements in the pathways, and we can do that by unlocking resources that currently we’re not getting through.
“Over time, the Drua Academy will reduce the loss of talent overseas and will significantly improve the quality, depth and competitiveness of the Fijian Drua within the Super Rugby competition.”
All academy players will receive payment, kit, Drua season tickets and continue to play for their school.
Another key focused area of the foundation will be health and education and social impact which will include remote communities and also facilitate resilience projects in schools around the nation.
The Drua Foundation would implement programmes to create access to sport not previously available to remote villages/areas, bringing communities together and promoting the importance of resilience, healthy hearts and minds and inclusivity.
“Our activities include rugby tournaments, coach training and development of opportunities for girls and young women,” Evans added.
He indicated these projects would not be centralised in Viti Levu, it will reach the outer islands highlands.
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
