THE Fiji National Rugby League has applied to have a team compete at the New South Wales Cup.
Chairman Akuila Masi revealed this while sharing the pathways now available for the Junior Bati under-18 team.
The NSW Cup is one of three options available for the players.
The second major opportunity is Fiji’s probable inclusion in a rugby league competition in the United States.
“Moving ahead, from next year, we have applied for our team for the New South Wales Cup for either next year or 2027. I had received another communication last week; there is an opportunity for Fiji to provide a team to the
USA on the franchise of rugby league there,” he said.
Apart from these, the Junior Bati have been encouraged to join and play for local clubs with the next step being the Fiji Residents.
Following their Test match against Tonga last month, the FNRL is seeking more Tests for the side.
“We are waiting for a few countries who are interested to tour to Fiji. We don’t know how they are going to shape up, they might come in the form of a school or another state team or whatever that will come, we are ready to do
that,” Masi said.
While this is in motion, the FNRL is considering having two U18 teams.
“The Junior Bati is the product of our academy from the development program. We are not only capturing the students to play for it. There are few who are not students, but they are under-18 and playing for the Junior Bati and those are the opportunity we want to create.
“We are not only focusing on Fiji Secondary School because it will disqualify those who have dropped out. We are hoping next year we will have two, the Fiji Secondary School U18 and the Junior Bati so we provide the
opportunity for the students at the same time for the dropouts,” the FNRL chair added.
These pathways will require extra work from the FNRL and Masi acknowledged that while they are dreaming big, there are responsibilities that needed to be fulfilled.
