The head coach of the Vodafone Fiji Bati, Wise Kativerata, has recently shed light on the significant challenges facing player development pathways within the Fiji rugby league system. This issue, he believes, is crucial for ensuring the ongoing success of the national team. Following Fiji’s 50-18 defeat to Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Bowl Championship final, Kativerata praised Fiji’s ability to produce top-tier players, naming talents such as Semi Valemei, Semi Radradra, Viliame Kikau, and Noa Nadruku. However, he pointed out the absence of a structured development system in the Fiji Rugby League as a critical hurdle.
Kativerata noted that in contrast to Papua New Guinea, which benefits from a robust player pathway through initiatives like the Hunters, Fiji has only started to implement a structured player development program over the past two years. He remains optimistic about the progress being made towards establishing a sustainable development framework that aligns with standards seen in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Emphasizing the importance of nurturing young talent, Kativerata stated, “I don’t know how we do it, but luckily Papua New Guinea has a pathway already with Hunters. But we’ve started putting together a system, a pathway that we can well recognize in the NRL system.” He believes that developing a clear player pathway will provide Fijian athletes with the necessary experience and exposure to compete consistently at international levels.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Fiji’s rugby league, which is currently experiencing a positive transformation. With ongoing initiatives to scout and develop new talent, as well as an increasing commitment to grassroots programs, there is growing optimism for the future of rugby league in Fiji. Under Kativerata’s leadership, there is a strong promise for a thriving environment in which young athletes can excel on the world stage.