Nasinu Secondary School was alive with enthusiasm today as a team from NFL Australia conducted training drills and a clinic designed to introduce American Football to Fiji. The event attracted participants from Nasinu’s under-15 boys’ and under-19 rugby league teams, who were eager to learn the basics of this exciting new sport.
Charlotte Offord, the General Manager for NFL Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, highlighted the initiative’s significance as part of a larger goal to promote American Football throughout the Pacific region. She expressed excitement over the positive reception they’ve encountered in Fiji, acknowledging the country’s strong background in rugby union and rugby league. Offord expressed her hope that young athletes in Fiji will consider the possibilities that American Football can offer.
“This marks our first entry into the Fijian market for the NFL. NFL flag is a non-contact version of American Football that welcomes both males and females. We’re here to introduce the game and lay the groundwork for its growth,” Offord stated.
The NFL team plans to continue their outreach efforts with visits to Sigatoka and Lautoka later this week, underscoring their commitment to expanding the sport’s footprint in the region. This initiative holds significant promise for the development of American Football in Fiji, creating new opportunities for youth engagement in sports and potentially enriching the local sporting culture.