The players are scouted from the secondary school’s competition and sign a contract with the Drua which sees them assemble several times a year in a camp environment at the club’s world class facilities in Nadi.
Fiji Drua Academy players during the official launch at Legalega, Nadi, on November 1, 2024. Photo: Waisea Nasoki
The Fijian Drua has launched its Academy with 29 players under 16 years of age signing on as its first ever cohort. The Drua Academy is an initiative of the Fijian Drua.
During the launch yesterday Drua chief executive officer Mark Evans said the academy is designed to identify, select and help develop selected pool of players nationwide.
“Starting this year with the Under-16 category to provide a sustainable pathway to professional rugby,” he said.
“The programme includes coordinated player identification by Drua scouts consisting of Drua development coaching staff and Fiji Rugby Union High Performance Unit.”
The players are scouted from the secondary school’s competition and sign a contract with the Drua which sees them assemble several times a year in a camp environment at the club’s world class facilities in Nadi.
These players will receive specialised skills-based training from Drua coaches and high-performance staff and be part of a development programme over three years.
Drua Academy programme lead Ben Takubu said the players were recruited from the Vodafone Deans competition.
“They went through a screening programme and today will start their first ever two-day camp,” he said.
Through dedicated coaching and specialised training programme for each player, we will teach them to hone their natural talents with the rigorous requirements of professional, elite-level rugby by the time they finish high school.
The Drua has congratulated the first group of 28 Academy players, who joined camps accompanied by excited parents who came to drop them off.
Players:
Viliame Daurua (Suva Grammar School), Sesoni Tamani (Mahatma Ghandi Memorial School), Ravuama Kunahau (Ba Pro Free Bird Institute), Alivereti Susau (Suva Grammar School), Daris Khan (Ratu Sukuna Memorial School), Christian Oakley (Marist Brothers High School), Sowane Baravilala (Levuka Public School), Seremaia Salikoro (Natabua High School), Donald Radiva (Ratu Navula College), Viliame Bale (Labasa College), Jone Niumataiwalu (Queen Victoria School), Eremasi Nasilasila (Marist Brothers High School), Paula Tuvalo (Ba Pro Free Bird Institute), Rafaele Waqalala (Swami Vivekananda College), Isoa Bakeidaku (Labasa Sangam (SKM) College), Joshua Tawake (Suva Grammar School), Peni Nakarawa (Sila Central High School), Usaia Saumi (Marist Brothers High School), Asi Fuli (Marist Brothers High School), Emosi Vucago (Cuvu Collge), Saula Koroi (Suva Grammar School), Sefanaia Naqama (Sila Central High School), Alifereti Raka (Queen Victoria School), Solomoni Senikuraciri (Niusawa Methodist High School), Timoci Nagusa Jnr (Marist Brothers High School), Vatemosi Ravonu (Ratu Kadavulevu School), Jone Raibevu (Queen Victoria School), Aporosa Lalabalavu (Marist Brothers High School), Epeli Rabaka (Marist Brothers High School).
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