Tracking players crucial: Gadolo

Viliame Gadolo says the Holiday Skills Programme conducted in the last two days is to track and develop players to represent the national teams.

The Fiji Rugby Union elite player pathway manager hosted the programme for the U14, U15, U16 and U17 grades players at Bidesi Park in Suva. Gadolo said identifying players was done by FRU High Performance Unit coaches during the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Zone competitions and Vodafone Deans finals.

“I think the biggest benefit for us hosting the programme is to have the ability to track our upcoming players that represent different age grades,” Gadolo said

“We have so many national development programmes which includes the U18’s leading up to the U20’s and then to the Fijian Drua and the Fijian Warriors.

“Also, we are looking at forming an U16 team next year.

“So, one of our main objectives is to prepare players to fit the environment and be physically fit to play in the national side.

Gadolo said identifying players was done by FRU High Performance Unit Coaches during the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Zone competitions and Vodafone Deans final.

“We have over 30 players participating in this programme who have been selected from the recent Deans competition as well as some young girls are part of these programme.

“This is a great opportunity for the FRU high performance team to utilize the holiday break with the players before they go back to school.”