The Fijian Drua club has officially launched the Drua Foundation, a charitable initiative to create a sustainable impact on Fiji’s communities through rugby development, health and education, social outreach, and inclusivity.
The Foundation will work towards various community-focused goals, leveraging the growing influence of the Fijian Drua to contribute to the nation’s well-being.
Mark Evans, CEO of Fijian Drua and trustee of the Foundation, emphasised the importance of the club’s role in developing Fijian youth, particularly in rugby. “With this growth in prominence comes a responsibility to the country and to the people of Fiji. The Drua Foundation is a way for the club, our sponsors, and well-wishers to contribute towards programmes that benefit the Fijian people sustainably and meaningfully,” said Evans.
The Foundation’s primary initiatives will fall under High Performance Pathways, Health & Community, and Social Impact. These programmes address some of the country’s most pressing issues while nurturing young Fijian talent.
The Drua Academy, a key part of the Foundation, will focus on developing the next generation of rugby stars, with age groups ranging from Under 16 to Under 18, providing structured training in partnership with Fijian Drua high-performance staff. The programme will help young Fijians develop their rugby skills while keeping them close to their families and communities, a crucial step in preventing the loss of talent to overseas clubs at a young age.
“The Drua Academy offers a clear path to professional rugby for players without them having to leave Fiji. It aims to create a sustainable future for Fijian rugby talent,” Evans explained. Over time, the Academy will expand, including more age groups and incorporating girls’ teams.
The Drua Foundation is also dedicated to promoting health and wellness across Fiji with the help of Fijian Drua players. One of the Foundation’s flagship programmes, the Anchor Kids Club, has already reached over 800 children in its first year. The programme will continue to expand, delivering more visits and resources in 2025 to encourage healthy lifestyle choices and physical activity. Fijian Drua male and female players are actively involved in these visits, helping to instil positive habits among the nation’s youth.
Another initiative, The Resilience Project, aims to build emotionally resilient communities by providing schools with resources and strategies focused on mental well-being, including practices like gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness.
Fiji’s many rural and remote communities often face challenges accessing sports and community resources. The Drua Foundation aims to bridge this gap with programmes like the Remote Communities Challenge, a grassroots rugby tournament that promotes inclusion and healthy living. Expanding to more regions in 2025, the initiative aims to bring the benefits of sport to hard-to-reach areas, helping foster community connections and resilience.
Additionally, the Annual Community Blitz sees the entire Fijian Drua squad travelling across Fiji to inspire and educate students about healthy lifestyles, providing valuable role models for youth.
The Community Corner initiative provides space at Drua home games for charities and health organizations to raise awareness about their causes. The aim is to promote social change and bring attention to important issues that benefit the broader Fijian community.
The launch of the Drua Foundation marks a significant moment for the Fijian Drua and the wider Fijian community. The Foundation’s trustees call on individuals, businesses, and organizations to contribute to its cause. Donations, endowments, and partnership opportunities are all ways to support the Foundation’s diverse initiatives.
