Former reps success story a motivation for budding players

We’ve read inspiring stories of Noa Nadruku, Viliame Kikau, Maika Sivo, Tui Kamikamica, Mikaele Ravalawa, Suliasi Vunivalu, Eto Nabuli, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Marika Koroibete, Semi Radradra and the list goes on of Fijian players who excel in the professional sport of rugby league. From humble beginnings here at home, their daily struggles to overcome poverty, the challenges faced in the village and how rugby league gave them the opportunity to make it in life.

Their motivational stories will encourage budding players to follow their dreams and never give up on themselves.

Not only that, the culture shock of moving into a new country like Australia, the loneliness of being away from home, difficulties in trying to adapt to a professional training regime, the outside influences they encountered and how they struggled to make it to the National Rugby League (NRL).

As they ply their trade they also contribute back home to the wellbeing of their families, village development, help raise health issues and motivate young people in their respective communities to utilise their sporting talents and become a better citizen. Today, some of our stars from the NRL have moved on, but one thing is definite that they have become household names in the Australian sporting circles. These are the many opportunities that rugby league offers to many of our young men and women.

This Friday, for the first time our local-based players are part of the Fijian Prime Minister’s XIII squad and the Fijian Bulikula Prime Minister’s XIII (women) that will take on their Australian counterparts at the ANZ Stadium, Suva.

For our upcoming local-based players this is their biggest opportunity to compete against NRL players who have already represented Australia and also made their mark at the State of Origin.

This also goes for our women’s team as well. A sterling performance from our local-based players could present them the opportunity to play in Australia with an NRL club where they are nurtured in a professional environment to enhance their skills. This enables them to earn from their signed contract and contribute to the progress of their family and community back home.

We’re grateful to the Australian Government for using sports in diplomacy to bring people together, generate goodwill and cultivate partnerships for Australia across the world.

Sports diplomacy allows us to bring people, communities, nations and regions together to help build security and prosperity through a shared love of sports. As a show of support for our rising rugby league stars, sporting fans are urged to be at the ANZ Stadium in big numbers on Friday, to cheer them on. Our show of support could see the Prime Minister’s XIII rugby league clash become an annual event which will provide a pathway to our young players to show their worth and make it to the NRL in Australia.