Giving back to Fiji in positive and innovative ways, is one of the many reasons the Fijian Drua Foundation has been set up.
The Foundation, a charitable arm of the Club has been set up to, among other notable aspects, retain the outflow of future potential rugby players from Fiji.
Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans said apart from that, the Foundation will look at how to best help communities around Fiji benefit from sports, fitness and healthy lifestyle choices.
“The Foundation is set up to achieve a number of goals for the betterment of the communities of Fiji through rugby development, health and education, social outreach and inclusivity.”
“The Club has spent the past year finalising plans for the creation of the Drua Foundation, recognising the impact its brand has on the country.”
“The Drua Foundation also funds the Drua Academy, Fiji’s most innovative programme where the best rugby players in the Under 16, Under 17 and Under 18 categories are selected and taken through specific programmes to help prepare them to become professionals.”
Helping the trustees of the Foundation is Ben Ryan, Olympic Gold Medal coach. The Trustees are Evans, Te Waka Managing Director James Sowane, Mosese Naivalu from Law Naivalu, Fiji Airways Chief Financial Officer Naomi Vuibureta.
“Winning Fiji 7s Coach Ben Ryan is also lending his support to the Foundation utilising his breadth of knowledge of Fiji’s rugby talent and his expertise in developing talent in professional football in the UK.”
“The Drua Academy has been created to allow young Fijian
rugby talent to stay on the island, without having to leave their family and their community behind and still have a clear development route to a career in professional full-time rugby via the Fijian Drua’s ongoing participation in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.”
Evans said the new venture will go a long way and will benefit Fiji as a whole.
“The Drua Foundation is a way for the Club, our sponsors, partners and well wishes to contribute towards programmes which benefit the Fijian people in a sustainable and meaningful way.”
