FIJI National Rugby League board chairman Rajesh Singh says more than $1 million will be invested into primary and secondary schools rugby league development following the successful Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League finals last Saturday.
Singh said the competition highlighted the growing depth of young rugby league talent in the country, especially with all three grades crowning new champions this year.
He revealed that discussions with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the National Rugby League would bring major support for the development of the sport in Fiji.
“The good news is I have spoken to Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the National Rugby League, so there will be funding coming, and we will be pouring a lot of money,” Singh said.
“We’re going to go right to primary school, secondary school and we’re going to go into three conferences, East, West and North Conference.
“So, the game will grow. We’ll put over a million dollars just on the primary and secondary schools.”
Singh said the finals showcased the huge potential of young players coming through the system and believes the competition will strengthen the future of Fiji rugby league.
“I think the most important thing is there’s so much talent out here.
“Every game I attended, every day you see new players coming up, good talent, and we have a good base of players.
“I think that will help for the Fiji Bati and also for Fiji’s New South Wales Cup team.”
Singh also praised the hosting of the finals in Ba, saying the venue created a great atmosphere for the competition.
“This is a beautiful stadium; I’m vasu i Ba, my mum is from here; it’s a nice and beautiful stadium.”
He also hinted at future plans to include Ba in the provincial rugby league competition next year.
