Several players in the Fiji under-18 rugby league squad come from broken homes, but head coach Wise Kativerata believes rugby league is their way forward.
Kativerata said the squad includes school dropouts and boys who have never played rugby league before, many of whom were raised by grandparents.
“One of the boys from Tailevu was raised by his grandmother. He told me he tried to find his father but couldn’t find him, so his grandmother is all he has,” Kativerata shared after the team’s training session at Albert Park yesterday.
“These are touching stories. Most of these kids come from homes without fathers, without role models. Rugby league is now something they can lean on.”
Kativerata said it is the responsibility of the coaching staff to nurture these young players and help them reach their potential not just on the field but as people.
“We just want someone who is humble enough to listen and who is eager to train. That’s all we ask,” he said.
He added that most of the players are from rural areas such as Bua, Dreketi, Namosi, Naitasiri, Tailevu, Naila and Navua, and this is their chance to pursue something meaningful in life.
“Most city schools don’t release their players for rugby league because of Deans competition preparations. So, we turned to the villages,” he said.
Kativerata believes that these boys, though humble and inexperienced, bring a strong sense of drive and discipline.
“The village boys know their struggles and they listen well. Compared to the city boys, they’re more grounded and focused.”
He said the rugby league pathway is now open to them through the Fiji National Rugby League and the Kaiviti Silktails program.
“The goal is to help them become better people first, and then hopefully get overseas contracts,” Kativerata said.
“We want to give them hope. That’s what this is about.”
Meanwhile the Junior Bati side will play Tonga on Saturday.
