Fiji Airways Fiji Men’s 7s head coach Osea Kolinisau has emphasized the significant influence that grassroots tournaments have on enriching the national rugby program. His statement comes in the wake of the Fiji development team’s impressive triumph at the Fiji Sports Council Grassroots Vatulele 7s, held in Sigatoka over the weekend.
Kolinisau views these competitions as essential avenues for growth and internal competition rather than mere adjuncts to the regular rugby calendar. He asserts that evaluating the skills of emerging talent against those of established national team players is vital for their development.
“With limited tournaments outside of the international circuit, grassroots events provide essential match experience for players in the extended squad,” Kolinisau remarked. His comments highlight the importance of local competitions in keeping aspiring athletes actively engaged and competitive.
He further added that the exposure to high expectations at the grassroots level raises performance standards significantly. Kolinisau believes maintaining a connection to grassroots rugby is critical not just for keeping players match-ready but also for strengthening the transition from local levels to international competitions.
As the national 7s teams prepare for the upcoming Vancouver and New York 7s next month, these local tournaments are integral in setting them up for future challenges. Kolinisau’s approach reflects a forward-thinking strategy aimed at nurturing talent and ensuring Fiji continues to excel on the global rugby stage. The commitment to developing grassroots talent offers a promising outlook for Fiji’s rugby ambitions.