Young players understand high performance environment through Skills Programme

Fiji Rugby Union held a two day Holidays Skills programme in Suva hosting players aged U14 to 17.

Fiji Rugby Elite Pathways Development Department introduced the initiative for players selected through the Vodafone Deans Trophy to expose them to a professional training environment and enhance their Rugby development.

The initiative will also serve a long term purpose to boost our national teams as the young players travel through the pathway developing depth for the Fijian Drua, Latui, Warriors, Flying Fijians and Sevens programmes.

Elite pathway programme Manager Bill Gadolo said that potential players from all grades in the Deans competition are selected to be part of this holiday skills programme.

“Across the two days we worked with the lower grades from Under14 to Under17, and this is very important for us as we build up into the pathway for these kids.”

Bill added that this programme will help these kids a lot as “the main priority is to come and touch up on some of the core skills and our focus is for these young players to better understand the high performance environment.”

It’ll be easier for selectors in the coming years as by then these kids will have standards that’ll be needed to be in any national team.

“This will help a lot going to our school boys team in the coming years and also building up to our U20s programme and our national team programme with the Fiji Warriors, Drua and Latui and offcourse the Flying Fijians and the our sevens team.”

Malakai Tueli a parent of a U14 player is thankful for this holiday skills programme as he believes “this is a good approach by FRU and this programme will be beneficial for these young players as it provides a pathway for them building up their talents in terms of representing the nation in future.”

RKS U14 lock Vilikwsa Korovulavula who is part of the holiday skills program sees this as “an opportunity to develop our skills and familiarize ourselves into the high performance at a young age. It really help us a lot going up the level.”

Meanwhile the U18 marched into camp (Thursday) as they start their preparation campaign towards their New Zealand tour.

Gadolo added that the U19 will also be preparing for the World Junior Championship next year.