League bid FIJI NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE TO START WOMEN’S COMPETITION
THE Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) plans to develop the women's competition by introducing an annual tournament which is similar to the National Rugby League (NRL) Telstra Women's Premiership in Australia.
FNRL acting chief executive officer Don Natabe said they had been planning to make a soft launch next year.
He said four-team competition would be named the FNRL Marama Cup.
“It will be of similar format to the NRLW competition,” Natabe said.
“We are looking for sponsors which is quite challenging given this COVID-19 pandemic affecting the economy.
“We are calling for sponsors to come on board to help in the development of women's rugby league in Fiji.”
The NRL Telstra Women's Premiership is an elite competition that features the world's best female rugby league players with four clubs; Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra Dragons and New Zealand Warriors.
The FNRL is also preparing for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England from October
23 - 27.
Fiji is pooled against champion Australia, Scotland and Italy.
THE Fiji National Rugby League will recommence its grassroots development next year.
The program was halted this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
FNRL acting chief executive Don Natabe said they had a different grassroots development program.
"Unlike football and rugby union, in rugby league we have the club concept for junior teams," Natabe said.
"We plan to reintroduce the mini mod program and have the junior grade competitions from the under-12 to the U18 grade next year.
"We will have the Vodafone Shield competition from the U12 to U14 grade. At the secondary schools level, we have the U16 to U19.
"This will be held at the
Unlike football and rugby union, in rugby league we have the club concept for junior teams.
– Don Natabe
club level every Saturday and this is where we will have all the families down at the grounds for the competition."
Meanwhile Fiji Bati coach Jo Rabele is expected to name a 40-member training squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England. Fiji will be part of the 16 nations which are scheduled to play in the event.