THE Fiji National Rugby League will introduce a primary school competition in a bid to strengthen the grassroots level.
The FNRL expanded the sport to the North this year with great success.
Last year the parent body changed the format of the national competition creating tiers to enable an even competition and increase the number of teams within the zones.
FNRL chairman Reverend Immanuel Reuben said the spread of their development program would depend on the availability of finance.
“We will try and develop the sport more in the North and other areas as well. But this will all depend on the finance available. At the moment our focus is on development at the primary and secondary school level. We are looking at development from the under-10 age group level with both the boys and girls. There are also plans for touch footy.
“We are satisfied with the work carried out by our development officers and we hope to have a primary school competition very soon.”
Reuben said the new Vodafone Cup format had worked well into the second year.
He said all clubs should also look at strengthening their platform.
“There are some clubs with only one team, it’s either in the premier or Top 8,” Reuben said.
“So we want the clubs to expand and get the schools involved in their age group system so they can be sustainable. If they have only one team then the interest level is very low.
“The Vodafone Cup format is working well because we can see the different standard of the teams. The Top 8 is the elite level then we have the premier division and the reserve grade.”