The National Rugby League (NRL) is setting up its base in Fiji. This was confirmed yesterday by Fiji National Rugby League chairman Reverend Dr Immanuel Reuben. Reverend Reuben said the

by leone cabenatabua, suva

The National Rugby League (NRL) is setting up its base in Fiji.

This was confirmed yesterday by Fiji National Rugby League chairman Reverend Dr Immanuel Reuben.

Reverend Reuben said the NRL is launching its Fiji operations on November 20 at Albert Park in Suva.

“The NRL will have their own set-up like having their own chief executive officer (CEO) and their experts from Australia based in Fiji,” he said.

“This is part of NRL’s Pacific Strategic Plan of setting up their base in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. NRL will become FNRL’s development partners.”

He confirmed top 2014 NRL try-scorer Semi Radradra would be at the launch.

Rev Reuben said the NRL focus would be on primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions as well.

The NRL will target the schools with variety of programmes like: @ Anti-Bully, Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) on the importance of knowing the right food to eat and what exercise to do literacy.

He pointed out that NRL has developed a relationship with the Fiji National University (FNU) on conducting a development programme.

The move is NRL’s plan to grow the game in the region.

NRL CEO Dave Smith said 37 percent of NRL players originate from Pacific nations.

He said they would focus on clinics teaching all aspects of the sports; on and off the field.

The NRL already has placed 12 staff in PNG in an effort to reach 50,000 students across 80 schools over a three-year period.

“We are looking to engage up to 10,000 students in Fiji and Samoa through the NRL’s literacy and anti-bullying programmes which will replicate our current “League for Life” Programme.

“At the same time we want to help young people in Fiji develop their rugby league careers by expanding the pathways already in place which enable them to play in local competitions and, ultimately, their national teams.”

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj