120 schoolgirls will be observed over three days as part of a programme aimed at strengthening Fiji’s women’s rugby development pathway and preparing more players for higher-level competition.
Former Black Fern and current Hurricanes Women’s coach Mel Bosman is in Nadi as part of the Impact Beyond Pasifika Programme, which is funded by the Australian Government in partnership with World Rugby.
Insert: Bosman on support womens rugby 27th Aug 26
She says secondary school coaches from the North, South, East and West are taking part, with the programme focusing on session planning, teaching skills and helping coaches better develop young players.
Bosman says it is important to empower coaches and give them the confidence to develop strong relationships with young female players.
She says young girls need to believe they are good enough to play rugby, and coaches have an important role in building that confidence and creating an environment where players trust what they are being taught.
Bosman, who is a former Black Fern, has also coached in the United States women’s rugby programme and is now part of the Hurricanes Women’s coaching team.
She says she had the opportunity to watch the secondary schools Under-18 girls’ final in Suva on Saturday and was impressed by the potential and talent on display.
Bosman says it was exciting throughout the 70 minutes, with the coaches watching impressed by the players’ ability to keep the ball alive, kick and chase, use space and express themselves on the field.
Bosman says this could eventually help players progress through to the Fijiana 7s, Fijian Drua Women and Fijiana 15s programmes.
She adds that programmes of this nature are not available everywhere, saying even New Zealand does not currently have a similar programme in place for women and girls.
Bosman says being part of the programme in Fiji will also allow her to learn from Fiji’s approach and take that experience back to New Zealand to explore how player development programmes there can be further strengthened.
