HARD work has paid off for Queen Victoria School U18 player Viliame Tuilaucala Bale upon earning a place in the Fijian Drua Development squad recently.
Bale, a son of Kocoma in Cakaudrove with maternal links to Dawa in Cakaudrove, progressed through the club’s academy pathway and has continued to impress through the schoolboy ranks.
He featured for the Queen Victoria School Under-18 side in the 2026 Vodafone Deans Competition before earning the opportunity to step up into the Drua Development squad.
The Kocoma native was excited of his new opportunity.
“First of all, I would like to thank the Lord for blessing me with this talent and for opening this opportunity for me.
“I’m also very grateful to my parents for their support throughout my journey, and to my friends at school for always pushing me to be at my best. “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity and to starting training and playing with the senior development team.”
Bale was first identified by the Drua while a student at Labasa College and was selected among 29 players for the Club’s inaugural Under-16 Academy intake.
His progression from the Academy into the Development squad highlights the opportunities being created for promising young players to progress from schools and grassroots rugby through the Drua system and towards the professional game.
Fijian Drua Director of Development and Pathways Nemani Nadolo-Kuridrani believes Bale is a talented young rugby player.
“Viliame is a talented young player who has been in our pathway for some time now, and we’re really pleased to see him take another important step in his development.
“He was identified at a young age and has continued to work hard and develop his game. This is exactly what our pathway is designed to achieve identifying talented young players from around Fiji, investing in their development and giving them an opportunity to progress within the Drua system.”
