Blue Sugar Rugby

rrent Head Coach
PURPOSE:
Its purpose was to keep young Maroons prospects between the age bracket of 17-19 in the right frame of mind during the 15s off-season set-up while at the same time enjoying playing 7s with exposure across the country. The Maroons reached the semi-finals in two successive Digicel Cup seasons (2009-10) as well as drew in two successive Farebrother challenges(2009-10) which achievement was directly to this initiative. PRODUCT:
Two such players to have benefitted from this program are Metuisela Talebula who was then a young 16-year old & Joji Raqamate. “These two players are our benchmark,” said Secretary Kali Vesilevu. The rest is history and he is now a regular for the Bordeaux Beagles Top 14 side in France. The program was temporarily disbanded in 2011 while Talebula & Raqamate went on to represent Natabua who as the Maroons side were declared the eventual winners of the 2011 Fiji TV Provincial 7s tournament. Raqamate is now a Prison Warden based in Suva. The initiative’s supporters have now collectively decided to continue with the program although with more focus and structure while concentrating on the same age bracket. “We have come up with a motto in “talent travels,” said Vesilevu. The supporters include some prominent Lautoka citizens in the private sector together with local high school and primary school teachers with rugby at heart ably led by social worker & popular columnist, Allen Lockington. The initiative has received the support of Lautoka City Council CEO Pravin Bala as well as the Lautoka Rugby Union, being the parent body of the sport in the sugar city. The team is now coached by Tuidriva Bainivalu and managed by 1999 Rugby World Cup winger, Manueli Tiko. “Everyone respects Allen and adore him at the same time for his leadership yet earth-worm approach. The young boys are willing to give their all under this program.” said Vesilevu. The first initiative under the new program is a non-profit 7’s tourney to be held in three successive Fridays in 26/4/13, 3/5/13 & 10/5/13 at Churchill Park Ground 3 to coincide with the first term school holidays so also as not to disturb the Lautoka Rugby Union regular club competition”. Spectators can watch for free. “This tourney is a non-profit one as we expect to expend more than we will derive,” said Vesilevu. For example, the tournament is limited to the first 16 teams from within the Lautoka rugby fraternity only which will derive only $800 yet there are other incidental costs involved like ground fees, referee and medix fees which will far exceed this”. We are aware of this but we feel that if just one talent is spotted in one of the three tournaments then we are happy as that is the very purpose of the initiative and is what our motto dictates”.
“The initiative is more or else a 7s invitational component and players need to return to their 15s clubs after the 7s season to continue development there. We do not intend to register as a club simply for that reason alone although there has been suggestions by players otherwise,” Vesilevu said. Short term we are in a way helping Lautoka rugby while in the bigger picture we are contributing to rugby development in the nation as a whole. This initiative has the potential to get bigger and better in the future.
“We have established a strong relationship with Rugby Academies in Europe and wonder-kids have the opportunity to ply their talents for a lucrative 2-year contract initially if they impress,” said Vesilevu. “Since it’s the school holidays we are looking forward to some exciting young talent just like Talebula once did,” said Vesilevu. “Already there is an offer from Montpellier Academy for one of our boys under the program.” The initiative has a new page titled “Blue Sugar Rugby” and youngsters who feel they have what it takes are more than welcome to “like” the page and show us what they have to offer in the form of a video clip of them playing in a competitive environment”