Koli Sewabu, the chief executive of the Fiji Rugby Union, underscores the significance of the upcoming pre-season match with the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua as a pivotal moment for bridging the gap between professional and grassroots rugby in Fiji. This match marks a historic occasion, as it will be the first pre-season game featuring a local representative side confronting the Drua.
Sewabu is optimistic that this initiative will serve as an essential step for local players aiming to elevate their game to a professional level. He points out that the Skipper XV, a team composed of top athletes selected from the domestic provincial competition, provides a clear trajectory for player development, ultimately leading to opportunities with the Flying Fijians on the international stage.
“The connection between our programs now spans from grassroots initiatives and the Skipper Cup all the way through to the Fijian Drua at Super Rugby and the national team, the FIJI Water Flying Fijians,” Sewabu remarked, highlighting the structured approach to player development.
The Skipper XV team, comprised of players who have progressed through Fiji Rugby’s development avenues, including the Elite Player Pathway and the High Performance Unit, gathered in a training camp in Sigatoka yesterday. They are set to challenge the Fijian Drua on February 6th at Churchill Park in Lautoka, with kick-off scheduled for 3 PM.
This match not only signifies an important step for the players involved but also sets the stage for enhanced visibility and opportunities for grassroots talent in Fiji’s rugby landscape. Such initiatives are crucial in fostering the next generation of athletes and maintaining Fiji’s proud rugby legacy.