Ovalau Trip

The Fiji Rugby Union’s Development Unit conducted the first ever World Rugby Level 2 course in Levuka last week. 16 participants attended and the day started with a motivational address from former rep and CEO Pio Bosco Tikoisuva.

Ovalau Rugby Union (ORU) has been utilizing the development unit in educating and upskilling their coaches and referees with the aim to lift the standard of the game to another level in the Old Capital. (Pictures)

The course focused on developing rugby skills containing five modules; Coaching styles and coaching process; Values of the game and principles of attack and defense; Planning and delivery, Key factor analysis and player welfare and Functional role analysis, selection and Laws.

Development Officer Alifereti Mocelutu said that they will return to Ovalau when the club games starts to assess and monitor the 16 participants.

Apart from educating the coaches, they also visited schools introducing Get Into Rugby (GIR) program to increase participation. The schools visited were Levuka Public School, Marist Convent, Loreto Primary, Lovoni Fijian and Rukuruku. The numbers increased by 365 added to the 1,967 who are already part of the program for this year alone. The teachers welcomed the GIR because it was safe for the kids and it involved both boys and girls. The Levuka Public Primary teachers use GIR as a form of keeping them fit and healthy.

Visiting grass roots is very challenging. It demands a lot of hard work, commitment and patience. It not only focuses on rugby but also revolves around everything around it, including the Vanua. When visiting a community to conduct courses or clinics, we are usually required to answer a lot of unexpected questions.

This being her first development trip, Women’s Development Officer, revealed that it entails a lot of organization, communication and passion.

“You start early in the morning and finish late at night because we have an obligation to answer questions fired at you whether it’s rugby development or political,” she said.

Very challenging and at the same time exciting she said.

Organization is stimulating when you deal with those in remote areas and it requires a good and consistent channel of communication. In most cases you have to think on your feet.

Naucukidi also met with three secondary schools and was surprised to see the progress at St John’s College. The whole of this term, while the other schools were focusing on athletics, the girls in Cawaci had rugby training every afternoon.

The development officers witnessed some very physical girls sevens rugby at St John’s College.

“It’s amazing just watching these girls playing contact rugby and the level of commitment and passion,” Naucukidi said.

While other major schools in major areas are reluctant to take part, others have turned to rugby hoping to lift the profile of their school.

Meanwhile, the development unit is organizing a skills clinic for the Under 18 girls for this Saturday as we prepare for the Commonwealth Youth Olympics in September.

World Rugby Level 2 Coaching participants

Jona Daunitutu, Tubuka Vueti, Iloilovatu Labati, Poasa Nayacalevu, Tomasi Vuetilovoni, Noe Wakanibua, Navitalai Luvumaiwasa, Peni Nagata, Filipe Rokowaqa, Sivorosi Tukana, Inoke Rasiga, Jimilai Kotobalavu, Watisoni Vikavira, Petero Waivusowale, Epeli Vunasau, Lui Cakau.