The passage of time will play a vital role in helping the Bula Boys FC side get adjusted to the nature and demands of professional football, according to its new head coach Stéphane Auvray.
Auvray shared those sentiments when asked what he knew about football in the Oceania region and which nation’s club did he see as the Bula Boys’ strongest rival in the OFC Professional League.
“We need time to structure ourselves and get into the dynamic of professional football,” Auvray told reporters during a video conference on Wednesday.
He added that while time will play an integral part in developing the newly-formed team, a first for Fiji, the football pitch was where everything would come down to the wire.
“However, my opinion is once you get on the field, there’s one ball, 22 players, and the one who plays the best or sometimes who is the most fortunate wins.”
He acknowledged while the side would not be favourites, they would compete to the best of their abilities.
Meanwhile, CEO Anushil Kumar said the professional league was a game-changer for Fiji and would bring about a new benchmark for the sport.
“It sets a new benchmark as far as professionalism, development, exposure is concerned and also it will inspire our young generation to dream bigger, knowing that a professional pathway is in place right here in Oceania,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, the first round of competition in the league takes place on January 17, 2026 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
