Buzz of activities planned ahead of Storm visit
RUGBY league players and coaches in the West and in Taveuni will get a chance to learn from the Melbourne Storm in the lead up to their official NRL trial match against the Newcastle Knights next month.
The Storm have announced a number of community activities planned for schools and rugby league clubs in which their players and coaches will be involved with.
With tickets now on sale, the Storm have confirmed activities being planned with the Fiji National Rugby League, local schools and the Fiji Airways Kaiviti Silktails.
The week of activities will include open training sessions, coaching clinics, and school visits.
Fiji Bati captain and Storm prop, Tui Kamikamica, will also visit his home village during the week with several Storm players.
“I am extremely proud to be able to visit my village and to take some of my Storm teammates to my home in Somosomo,” Kamikamica said.
“All of Fiji is excited about having Storm and the Knights play this trial match and I can’t wait to see the kids and families at the match and the clinics.
“This is a very proud moment for our country. I hope it gives more kids the inspiration to play rugby league and maybe play for the Storm one day.”
Fiji Airways will fly Kamikamica and his teammates to his home island of Taveuni, where they will meet with students and the local community.
Storm fans will be able to watch the team train at Churchill Park on Wednesday afternoon, while coaches from local rugby league clubs will be given the opportunity to learn from Storm’s coaching staff in an exclusive clinic.
Players will also visit local primary and secondary schools throughout the week as the team prepares for the first ever NRL match to be played in Fiji.
Fiji National Rugby League chief executive Don Natabe said having Storm play in Fiji will be a great boost for the sport in 2024.
“The rugby league community is excited about having the Storm and Knights come to Fiji,” he said.
“I am sure we will get a great crowd to the match, but we are also excited about giving our clubs and community a chance to meet with the players and coaches while they are here to share their experience with us.”
Tickets for the Storm-Knights trial match can be purchased in store or online through Jacks of Fiji starting from $10.