FRU development courses roll out this week

Courses roll out this week

The Fiji Rugby Development Unit started their 2015 courses last week with the first set of coaching level accreditations.  “The response from the five zones has been really encouraging,” says Unit Manager Mr Sale Sorovaki.

Level 1 Sevens’ and match officiating was conducted for Zone 2 in Nanukuloa, Ra. Zone 2 includes Tavua, Vatukoula, Colo North, Yasawa North and Yasawa North.

Rugby Development Officer Mr Joeli Officer confirmed that this is the first time for a Level-1 Sevens Coaching and Level-1 Match Officiating course to be conducted in Ra.

Participants from the three Tikina of Nalawa, Nakorotubu and Saivou attended the one-day course. The Match Officiating course was conducted by Mr Tubu while the newly appointed Fiji U20 national coach Mr Bill Gadolo assisted Mr Alifereti Mocelutu with the coaching course. A coaching course includes, game knowledge, delivering practices and planning practices. The match officiating course has two modules and includes the roles and responsibilities in assisting referees, communication, positioning, and the laws of the game.

Sixteen coaches and six match officials attended the course.  A big challenge for FRU, Mr Tubu said is the fast growing rugby league program in the region and the need to increase the interest for union.

Last week, Mr Mocelutu travelled down to Vatukoula to assess three Level 2 15s coaches, Mr Joji Nikola, Mr Maleli Savai and Mr Nemani Sovakiverata.

The three coaches will now need to pass two more assessments before they can be accredited. They were part of the 10 participants that started their Level 2 accreditation in 2011. Out of the 10, three were players, Mr Jone Lesi, Mr Apenisa Rokosuka and Mr Emori Ratu.

The relocation of participants has also been a major challenge, Mr Uraia Tudravu who completed the Level 2 Accreditation 3 years ago in Vatukoula has now moved to Nausori.

On Friday 6 February, a Level-1 Sevens Coaching and Match Officiating course was held in Ba.  The last course was conducted in 2012 with participants mainly made up of school teachers.

The deployment of Development staff to the national teams as well as changes at Rugby House in the last two years has resulted in lesser visits to the zones.

The lack of interest at local level has also been a major challenge, in some instances development staff have had to visit the unions repeatedly to ensure proper representation at the courses.

“Hopefully, this year they will recognize the need and the importance of accrediting their coaches, match officials, strength and conditioning coaches and medical team,” Mr Sorovaki explained.

Last Saturday, a similar course was held at Ratu Cakobau Park for the Tailevu, Naitasiri and Rewa regions.

“Regions wishing to have courses conducted for then can conduct the Development Unit at the FRU on Ph: 3302787 or Vodafone and ink users can call 5590.

Meanwhile the Women’s Level-1 7’s Coaching Course and Match Officiating Course that was scheduled for Ratu Cakobau on 28 Feb has been shifted forward to the 27^th due to the unavailability of the venue. Applications for these women’s courses have also closed.