IN the Fiji National Rugby League’s brief visit to the island of Rotuma recently, three students were selected to join the FNRL Junior Academy.
The trio are Winnie’ofa Morita Tatino, Vamarasi Crizelmon Kafoa and Gordon William Samuela.
In their training at the academy, they will be accompanied by their physical education, music, art and crafts (PEMAC) teacher Jone Volitilau and a local coach Gagaj Suakmas.
Suakamas is also the District Chief of Pepjei and the acting chairman of the Rotuma Council, who will also take part in an upcoming coaching clinic that will take place in Suva.
Prior to their departure of Rotuma to return to mainland Viti Levu, the FNRL Development Team, which included Fiji Bati head coach Waisake Kativerata, visited the parents of the three students to provide consultation, explaining to them what their children would do while in Suva.
The officials carried out this process to ensure they were well-informed in the opportunity that lay ahead.
FNRL, in a social media post on platform Meta, said the initiative helped fortify the growth of the game from the grassroots level.
“This initiative not only provides valuable pathways of our young players but also builds the capacity of teachers and local coaches – strengthening rugby league from the grassroots level,” the FNRL said.
During the visit, the team visited schools such as Rotuma High School and Motusa District School to provide an introduction to rugby league in sessions where the sport’s opportunities for growth on and off the field were highlighted.