A Stone’s throw to Fiji

ALBION Park High School student David Stone is heading off to Fiji for an experience of a lifetime, not only representing NSW Country Rugby League in the Fijian National Tournament, but als experiencing the culture of Fiji when he visits Namatakula, the home town of Lote Tuquri where they will run coaching clinics with the local School children and have lunch prepared for them the traditional Fijian way prepared in the ground.

Like all the players in his squad, Davids trip is fully self funded and the players have raised personal sponsorships, run raffles at home games and taken up part time jobs to participate.

The Country Rugby League Academy is a regionally run program for talented players in the 17 & 18 year age groups. it is run over the off season to fill the gap left in player development and is designed to show players the pathways available to them to fulfil their potential as a Rugby League player. In October 2005 over 180 players trialled for positions in the Southern Division branch of the Academy Program. 40 were selected and were offered the opportunity to participate in a development tour of Fiji. 13 players from Southern Division are going along with a further 32 from across the state.

The players will mix together and will representing NSW Country Rugby League in the Fijian National Tournament played on 1 day where they will be up against Fijian Representative teams which were selected by the St George Illawarra Dragons.

A special thanks should also go to those who assisted with covering the costs for shirts and bus travel in Fiji, including Corrimal Family Chiropractic, Timms Roofing, Hands on Health Physiotherapy, Barsden St Chiropractic, Tyco Flow Control, St George Illawarra Dragons, Group 7 JRL & SRL, Group 6 JRL & SRL, Southern Division Rugby League, Investment Planning Services, MJH Security, and Ray White Kiama.