Development continues for the U18 girls
After three weeks of skills clinic and trials for the U18 girls in Ovalau, Suva and the Lautoka, 35 girls has been identified to join the training squad for the Youth Commonwealth games.
Last week the FRU development team were in Lautoka running skills and teaching the girls the rugby basics. Most of these girls haven’t played rugby before but are very active in other sports like netball, soccer, athletics and hockey.
Development continues for the U18 girls
Fifteen year old Joana Vitalina travelled all the way from Nadarivatu to take part in the trials. Last year she was the gold medalist in the juniors 800m and part of the 4×400 team that won Gold.
“I left Nadarivatu by carrier at 6 o’clock this morning with my mum to try out rugby. I haven’t played rugby before but I want to play for Fiji one day,” Vitalina said confidently.
Though she didn’t take part in the skills clinic, she said she learnt a lot taking part in the tials.
“I learnt the basic of tackling and how to distribute the ball while on attack and most of all enjoy with my sister and friends.”
Vitalina is the younger sister of Mereseini Naidau who is also in the athletics squad for Jasper High School.
Women’s Development Officer Vela Naucukidi was impressed with the talents and the support in the western region.
“We are grateful to schools for opening doors to all sports and giving the kids especially girls the opportunity to try what they want,” Ms Naucukidi said.
“And mostly to the parents for approving their daughters to be part of the rugby programme.”
Ms Naucukidi believes that these girls being actively involved in sports makes it faster for them to adapt to rugby.
“The fitness from athletics, passing skills from netball, kicking from soccer and strength from hockey showed during rugby game situations.”
Now, the development unit will work closely with the 35 member squad in educating, upskilling and training before holding another trials to select the final squad for the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa.
“With the tremendous increase in numbers of girls joining rugby, we will need to provide them consistent competition to retain them and also gauge their performance.”
This term, the Fiji Secondary school with the consent from the Ministry of Education will have a Fiji Secondary School 7s tournament for the U19 and U17 girls. Not only to increase awareness for women’s rugby but to create a pathway for the TFL Fijiana team who will be taking again in the next World Rugby Women’s Series.
“New Zealand and Australia are both qualified for the Rio Olympics and now we (Fijiana) have a chance to also qualify from our region and the biggest challenge now is to increase the player base where the coach can pick from.”
Conducting development programmes for the schools girls around the region has also help in identifying talents. The next visit will be at the North
U18 Girls 35-member Training Squad for the Youth Commonwealth Games 2015
(These girls are required to prepare their passport as soon as)
Ballantine Memorial School
Berata Radilagi, Macarina Tove, Irene Vuidravuwalu, Vilisi Jane,
Ba Provinicial
Udite Nai
Natabua High School
Harina Erasito, Bulou Rokodinono, Mele Kanawale
Latter Day Saints College
Kaylela Hussain, Raijeli Naisake, Timaima Williams
Jasper Williams
Iliseva Wale, Miriama Marawa, Venina Turagasolevu, Merewai Senibua, Mereseini Naidau, Salote Vuniwaqa, Ani Mei
Lelean Memorial School
Sereima Rauqe
Ratu Navula
Mere Ratuva, Lusiana Vualiku, Jennifer Bennett
St John College
Sarafina Turagakacivi, Vilisi Ranadi, Naomi Drugu, Ana Maria Roko, Sarafina Tikoduadua, Wainikiti Biu, Loela Veitoyaki, Adi Mateiwai Naselesele, Joela Sauto
Suva Sangam
Mereani Whippy
Suva Grammar School
Makereta Kolinisau
Vitogo
Loata Nabulagi, Luisa Nasau