TALKS are being held between the Fiji Rugby Union and the Ministry of Education to introduce rugby as an optional subject at secondary schools level from next year.
Navuso Secondary School's vice principal Maika Saqatanaivalu brought up the idea two years ago and ever since then has been working closely with the FRU and the Ministry of Education to include rugby in the classrooms.
The curriculum will include Rugby Basics in the schools which could see high school students being taught and trained the appropriate skills that are needed and on demand in the industrial job market.
"This will definitely enhance our very footings and base to make us more competitive in the world stages against higher rugby powers," FRU's development manager Sale Sorovaki told the fijirugby website.
He said modern rugby needed to be treated in a professional manner.
"What we have seen is that there are many professions involved in rugby apart from being a professional rugby player and that is basically what the introduction of this subject is about.
"That is why it is important that all personnel involved are up skilled to be able to perform specific tasks professionally in any game of rugby whether for players or all those involved in the preparation of the team as administrators, trainers, coaches, medical personnel and counsellors."
Sorovaki said they wanted to start with rugby academy schools such as Lelean Memorial School, Marist Brothers' High School and others.
"The Rugby Basics subject will be an 'optional subject' where students may decide whether to include it in his or her five subjects," he said.
Should the Ministry of Education approve the Rugby Basics curriculum, it will be offered to Forms Five and Six students and will also be included in the Fiji School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) examinations.