FIJI National Rugby League (FNRL) will expand its grassroots reach through schools and provincial communities, with six development hubs planned as part of a new 10-year partnership aimed at strengthening the sport across the country.
FNRL chairman Rajesh Singh said the funding announced on Monday would allow the organisation to expand its secondary school competition, introduce a stronger primary school program and establish a provincial pathway for young players.
“It’s a big thing for Fiji Rugby League, but the most important thing, it’s a big thing for our youths,” Singh said.
The development program, he said, would target young people at a time when communities are facing challenges such as drug use, with rugby league providing opportunities for participation and development.
Singh said the initial six hubs would cover greater Suva, Suva-Nausori corridor, Serua, Sigatoka, Nadi and Ra.
The plan will then expand to the North, with three additional hubs expected to be established within two years.
Singh said the expansion would ensure the benefits of the partnership reached players outside the major centres.
The development pathway will begin at primary school level before progressing through secondary schools, clubs and provincial competitions.
“We’re going to go into primary school and then there’s a pathway,” he said.
Singh said the secondary school competition would also be doubled, while primary school programs are expected to begin next year.
“Definitely next year we’re kicking off all that.”
The chairman also revealed an ambitious target for Fiji rugby league to develop a pathway towards the NSW Cup, identifying 2028 as the goal.
This comes after the falling out of FNRL with the Kaiviti Silktails in June 2022 when the FNRL announced that the club was no longer affiliated with the national body due to a MOU disagreement, Governance issues and player selection tensions.
He said the organisation was also looking at regional competitions involving Fiji, Samoa and Tonga at under-18 or under-19 level, providing another avenue for young players to gain international experience.
FNRL has also received an invitation for a representative team, potentially at under-23 level, to compete in regional matches against Samoa and Tonga.
Alongside player development, Singh said, player welfare would become another priority under the partnership, particularly for those who suffer injuries.
He said FNRL would explore insurance options for players and plans to engage an Australian company that provides coverage for NRL players.
“We will be talking to them and get the code once this funding comes and then we’ll try to work on that.”
For FNRL, the focus now is on turning the partnership into programs that reach players at every level, from primary schools and secondary schools to clubs, provincial competitions and, eventually, international pathways.
Singh said the long-term objective was to build a system where young players could develop within Fiji before progressing to higher levels of the game.
