2 February, 2026, 11:04 am Central - 30°C Rain

Setting up of Drua Academy is one of outgoing CEO's best memories

Setting up of Drua Academy is one of outgoing CEO's best memories

By Alipate Narawa
14/12/2025
Fijian Drua's Outgoing CEO Mark Evans
While reflecting on some of his best memories with the side, outgoing Swire Shipping Fijian Drua CEO, Mark Evans says the setting up of the Drua Academy is one that he felt from the beginning needed to be done.

Evans highlighted this during an exclusive interview with fijivillage Sports, saying as a rugby country he felt Fiji was doing it a bit too late in identifying younger players to come into the system.

Insert: Evans identifying younger talent AN Dec 14

Evans says he felt that Fiji was losing a lot of talent.

He says setting the Drua Academy up is something that he will remember with great affection.

The Drua CEO says the country, the people at the Drua, the players, and the staff have just been great. 

He says everybody loves rugby, and to go and work in a place where it is the national game and where it is so important, socially, culturally, sporting-wise, has been a real privilege. 

The Drua will take on the Gallagher Chiefs in a pre-season trial at Mount Maunganui on Friday 30 January before retuning home to play a Provincial Select team on Friday 6 February 2026 at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.

@fijivillage.com Setting up of Drua Academy is one of outgoing CEO’s best memories #SportsPack ♬ original sound - fijivillage

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Malimali dismissal was unlawful, PM did not have power to dismiss her
High Court Judge, Justice Dane Tuiqereqere has ruled that the dismissal of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner was unlawful.Justice Tuiqereqere has...
11 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Netflix hit ‘Golden’ takes Grammy for Best Song for Visual Media
The chart-topping tune from KPop Demon Hunters 'Golden' has won Best Song For Visual Media at the Grammy Awards, the first in among four Grammy ...
37 minutes ago

Lau raises alarm over escalating drug crisis, calls for urgent national action
The Province of Lau, led by its paramount chief, the Gone Turaga Bale na Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara has raised serious concerns over the ...
3 hours ago

Images show Melania Trump documentary director with Jeffrey Epstein
The director of the new documentary on US First Lady Melania Trump has appeared embracing a young woman in images released by the US Department of ...
3 hours ago

Lau raises alarm over escalating drug crisis, calls for urgent national action
The Province of Lau, led by its paramount chief, the Gone Turaga Bale na Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara has raised serious concerns over the ...
4 hours ago

Singapore 7s: Ulunisau double couldn't help Fijiana overcome France
Reapi Ulunisau's double could not help the Fiji Airways Fijiana side as they went down 17-14 to France in the 5th place play off at the Singapore ...
13 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
11 days ago

Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy - Dialogue Fiji
The National Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy by criminalising political expression, enabling state overreach and excluding young people ...
13 days ago

Shocking move : FNU reassigned under PM
The Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, ...
13 days ago

TOP