Maejiirs: Players welfare is important
The Fijian Bulikula women’s rugby league captain Josephine Bavatu- Maejiirs believes they’ve the potential to make their mark on the world stage. She indicated that what could fast track the process is the investment made to the sport.
The Fijian Bulikula are preparing for the Prime Minister’s XIII clash against the Australian Jillaroos at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on October 11.
Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, Maejiirs says, the welfare of women playing the game in Fiji is very important.
“I think it’s how they administrate the game,” she said.
“For league they look after the women, they look after the players’ welfare.
“They’ve got a good system in place where we are looked after. “They promote all these things that support women like domestic violence and abuse. They treat us like that in our local clubs but sad to say that we don’t have that in other sports.
“It supports us as women players and they look after our well-being.” Maejiirs added the need to have a good system in place will help advocate young boys and girls from various schools around the country to help the sport grow.
“If we have a good local competition in place. The talent is here along with the skills set that you teach in Australia. So all we need is a system in place to put all these girls in that competition and enhance that technics and skills for rugby league,” she said.
“If people really put money into the development starting from high school, so when the girls finish school they can get straight into the competition.”
Laced with local and overseas players the Bulikula are hoping to do well against the Australians. “We’ve been preparing well for this game and I’ve told the girls of how important this game will be. “If we stick to our game plan and structure we will be able to come up with a surprise but we’ll give them a good game knowing the depth and experience they have.”