“THE RISE OF THE DRUA” – HOW A RUGBY DREAM CAPTIVATED A NATION

“THE RISE OF THE DRUA” – HOW A RUGBY DREAM CAPTIVATED A NATION

The Ministry of Education congratulates Brian Thorburn (Former Fijian Drua CEO) and Greg Clark together with Norman Tasker (Authors) on the publication of the book “The Rise of the Drua” – How a Rugby Dream captivated a nation.

The Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms. Selina Kuruleca together with the Senior Officials of the Ministry, had the absolute pleasure of meeting Mr. Brian Thorburn and Mr. Greg Clark.

“Rugby as a unifying force across communities and as an avenue for fostering discipline, teamwork, and leadership. The immense role rugby plays in bringing international recognition to Fiji, as seen with the success of the Drua team,” said Ms. Kuruleca.

The discussions and deliberations during the meeting focused on the educational importance of the book as a resource in schools for teaching values like teamwork, perseverance, and national pride. The dialog session emphasised that Rugby is a medium through which young people can learn life lessons, develop discipline, and aspire to succeed on global platforms.

PS Education stated that “The Rise of the Drua” is a Legacy of the Drua Team and I commend the authors and contributors for chronicling the journey of Fiji Drua. This publication serves not only as a historical record but also as an educational tool for future generations. It will create awareness to our students on themes such as resilience, community, and the spirit of Fijian rugby.

“The Rise of the Drua” centers on the initiation of the Fijian Drua with the struggles and triumphs experienced by the team.The content of the text expresses pride of Fiji’s rich rugby heritage and also highlights the importance of documenting the story of the Drua team which is an integral part of Fiji’s sports history, especially in rugby, which is more than just a game for Fiji as it has become a part of the national identity.