SCHOOLS will form the backbone of a new rugby league development program in Fiji, with Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) commissioner Peter Beattie revealing plans to introduce the sport to children from as young as five.
Beattie made the comments during an ARLC visit to Rishikul Nadera Primary School on Monday, as part of the newly established 10-year partnership with the Fiji National Rugby League.
He said the ARLC would work with the Education Department to develop a program that could be introduced in schools and provide children with opportunities to participate and develop through rugby league.
“We’ll be working with the Education Department, who we met yesterday (Monday), to come up with a program to be implemented in schools, obviously from an early age, even from five years old, all the way through, so that young people reach their full potential,” Beattie said.
The program will include a non-contact component, with a strong focus on encouraging both boys and girls to participate.
Beattie said the aim was not simply to identify future NRL players, but to use sport as a way of helping young Fijians lead healthier and more active lives.
“Some will have pathways where they go to become NRL players, both boys and girls, and some will never go to that level, which is fine,” he said.
“We just want young Fijians, as part of this program, to live a long, healthy life.”
Beattie said school competitions would also be developed, although the details would be worked out in consultation with the Education Department.
He stressed that rugby league would not be positioned as a rival to rugby union, saying young Fijians should be able to participate in both codes.
“We’re not in competition with the rugby union, they will have competitions, we will have competitions, players will play both rugby union and rugby league, and that’s fine,” he said.
