French rugby club to set up academy at Ratu Navula

Ten students from the age of 15 to 18 at Ratu Navula College have been identified by French Top 14 club Brive to be part of the new rugby Academy to be set up in Ratu Navula next February.

Brive is setting up an academy at the Nadi based school in the hope of securing a steady stream of talent from Fiji.

Ratu Navula College Principal, Setareki Merekula said the discussion was held yesterday with Brive Rugby Director Nicolas Godignon where they will sign the agreement in September.

Godignon had got the Ministry of Education’s permission to establish the facility in Fiji, which he described as a five-year project aimed at helping prepare young players to secure professional contracts in France.

Merekula said a total of 25 players will be selected for the program and will have specialized training and take French language classes.

Merekula added that one of the clubs’ selection criteria is for the students to pass their Fiji School Leaving Certificate exam.

He said the Academy will only expand once Brive sees great development among the students.

Brive already has five Fijian players including Benito Masilevu, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Malakai Radikedike, Venione Vore Tamaya and Sisa Koyamaibole.