HISTORY will be made this weekend for Jai Narayan College (JNC) as it fields its first rugby team in the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Deans competition.

The school’s inclusion adds to the proud 87-year legacy of the competition, which has become a key pathway for nurturing talent and fulfilling Flying Fijians’ dreams.

In their debut year, the Rewa Street-based school in Suva, formerly known as Indian College, will field a team in the Under-17 grade.

For the team’s head coach, Josua Moko, the opportunity is a privilege for both himself and his young players.

“We are extremely grateful to our current administration, as well as the previous one, for allowing us to participate in this competition. It is a privilege we are very proud of,” he said.

“This is a chance for our boys to experience the highest standard of age-grade rugby in the country. We are aware there will be tough competition from other schools, but we are ready.”

For JNC’s U17 player Apenisa Nasilasila, being among the first to represent the school in such a prestigious tournament has boosted morale in the camp, with the team determined to deliver a strong performance on their competition debut.

“Our team has been preparing well, and we are honoured to be the first to represent our school. We have been training for a long time and expect a thrilling match in the opening round,” he explained.

The pioneers will take the leap of faith together in the footsteps of a former student, Patrick Osborne, who went on to become a Flying Fijian and featured for the Highlanders in the 2015 season of Super Rugby.

JNC will face Ratu Latianara College at ground one of Thomson Park in Navua at 10.50am tomorrow, in the opening round of the Southern Zone Secondary Schools Rugby Union Deans competition.