Teaching the basic rugby league knowledge to interested players is the stepping stone to growing a sufficient pool of talented players in the Northern Division.

This was the gist of Fiji Bati head coach, Wise Kativerata’s interview yesterday after conducting a two-day rugby league basic training workshop in Labasa.

He said the ideology among youths that only rugby sevens and fifteens were the respected codes, must be erased.

Kativerata said rugby league is a growing sport and paved the way for emerging talents to prosper and make a career from it.

“Players like Semi Valemi and Semi Radradra are from the North and have made it while playing in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) competition,” he said.

“Rugby league is a simple sport, but, mastering the basics of the game will help players to thrive,” he said.

Kativerata said the potential for the Northern based- players to play for professional clubs overseas look promising.

“Grassroots development is vital with players as young as 14 being introduced and moulded into the sport,”Kativerata proposed.

“This is a six-year project where FNRL will visit Vanua Levu and other maritime islands developing the sport, outside Viti Levu.”

Female participant Motu Lalagavesi, said she was interested in what the sport offered.

Lalagavesi is the Macuata women’s rugby coach.

“Women must try this sport be-cause the concept of the six-tackle rule is interesting and it is enjoyable sport to play,” she said.

Northern State Rugby League interim president, Alan Tuinasoni said the 22 clubs registered in the division were told to focus on developing a women’s side as well.

The Labasa and Dreketi zones were the active ones with Labasa having eight clubs, Dreketi-Seaqaqa accommodating eight clubs while Bua has got six.

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