THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua believes its eight home matches in the 2027 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season can play a major role in inspiring the next generation of Fijian rugby players.
Drua General Manager Commercial Shane Hussein says having more matches in Fiji means more young boys and girls will have the opportunity to watch their rugby heroes live.
The Drua plans to stage matches across Suva, Lautoka and Ba, giving supporters in different parts of the country greater access to top-level rugby.
“Our purpose is to win Super Rugby Pacific titles, inspire the nation and change lives for the better,” Hussein said.
“These are the lives we wish to change; these are the lives we wish to influence.”
Hussein said the presence of professional rugby in Fiji had also changed the pathway available to young players.
“The Fijian Drua being in existence means young Fijian boys and young Fijian girls can choose a career in rugby and play and live right here at home,” he said.
“No longer do you have to go to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Japan to find a professional career in rugby.”
The club is also expanding its engagement with schools, with school groups able to visit the Drua’s facilities, meet players, watch training and participate in skills sessions.
Hussein said the programme would also highlight career opportunities away from playing.
“There is a lot of opportunity for everyone of every level of skill or intellect or talent to join and be a part of the Drua,” he said.
Those opportunities include finance, operations, commercial, media and marketing.
Although Super Rugby Pacific matches can only be staged at venues that meet international standards, Hussein said the Drua wanted to reach communities throughout Fiji.
The club has already taken engagement activities to Kadavu, Vanualevu and Levuka and hopes to visit more islands.
“We are a team of the people and as much as possible we want to be in and around the 333 islands that make up Fiji,” he said.
The club’s first confirmed home match is against defending champions the Hurricanes at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on April 30, 2027.
