Rugby League in Fiji shows progress with first ever School tour of Australia

Fiji National Rugby League 11/5/2010

A Fiji Secondary School Rugby League Team consisting of under 17 and 18 left Fiji on the 7th May to tour Australia through assistance from Fundraising by the Secondary School committee, funds from main body, funds from Government, Australia Rugby League and off course our Major Sponsor Vodafone to make this tour a reality.

Our first game of the tour started off with a win and was played last Sunday against the Newcastle Hunter Academy 32-16.

The tour was an opening and hopefully it will happen every year as an exposure for our younger players to the future of Rugby League in Fiji.

We started the Secondary School competition in 2007 with 4 schools only and 3 grades per school from U17, U18 and U19, We had to sacrifice a lot of Sponsors funds from Vodafone to be able to buy 3 sets of uniforms for each school, but it was worth it.

In 2008 we had a slow increase to 6 schools and after the World Cup in 2008 and for 2009 we increased to 10 schools and also moved the grades down to u15.

In 2010 we have now a total of 21 Schools. This team of Under 18 touring Australia is made up of about 6 under 17 and the rest are in the Under 18.

They look forward to the next game on Wednesday the 12th of May against the St Mary Under 17's which won the Penrith Under 16's Finals last year.

Their final game will see them play 3 games in 6 days. It will be on Friday the 14th of May against Matraville High School Under 18's.

We are happy with our development through the Secondary School competitions but hopefully Government and Sponsors would be able to help us more on preparation of our Youths in the World of Rugby League. Given the chance to develop a lot of Natural Talents in Fiji we would be a force on the world stage.

Fiji National Rugby League would like to take this time to thank:

1. Sponsors Vodafone who has been with us since late 2006 and into the World Cup and also contributed a lot for the Secondary School Comp and Tour.

2. The Fiji Government for recognising the effort of volunteers from the Clubs, School Teachers and Principals of each schools and the Secondary School Games Committee.

3. The Australian Rugby League Chairman Mr Colin Love.

4. The International Development Manager Mr Tas Baitieri.

5. Air Pacific for giving us assistance on 100% discounts for airfares of our Secondary School Team to Australia.

6. Fiji Water for giving us free water.

7. The Australian High Commission for assisting us with our Visa.

8. The International Rugby League Federation for assisting us in our Secondary School Competitions and donation the Bati Challenge Shield and off course the Colin Love Trophy. and all that I have not mentioned here, but have helped in making the Team to tour Australia possible.

To comment on this article please visit our forums by clicking here