Fiji Rugby has taken another significant step in strengthening its coaching pathway and improving set-piece performance with the successful delivery of a three-day specialist training programme led by Gloucester Rugby Head Coach, George Skivington.
Held at Tanoa Skylodge Hotel from 15–17 June, the programme focused on developing coaching expertise in mauls, lineouts and scrummaging—areas identified as key components in enhancing Fiji Rugby’s competitiveness on the international stage. The workshop brought together five Regional Development Officers (RDOs), six Coach Educators and 44 union coaches from across the Western Division.
The initiative also reflects the longstanding relationship between Fiji Rugby and Gloucester Rugby, a partnership that spans several years and has created strong connections between the club and Fijian rugby. Fiji Rugby Chief Executive Officer Koli Sewabu became the first Fijian to represent Gloucester during the 2001/02 season, a memorable campaign that saw the club win the Premiership title. Since then, several prominent Fijians have followed in his footsteps, including former Flying Fijians captain Akapusi Qera and Albert Tuisue, further strengthening the bond between the two rugby organisations.
Skivington, who currently serves as Head Coach of Gloucester Rugby in England’s professional rugby system, guided participants through a combination of classroom learning, video analysis, whiteboard sessions and practical on-field demonstrations.
The first two days focused on upskilling Fiji Rugby’s RDOs and Coach Educators in both defensive and attacking set-piece principles. Participants explored practical coaching methods and observed live training sessions involving the Fiji Under-20 Men’s team, providing valuable opportunities to analyse scrums, lineouts and mauls in a high-performance environment.
A highlight of the programme was the live observation of Fiji U20 training sessions at Ratu Navula College Ground and Namaka Public School Ground, where coaches were able to assess real-time decision-making, technique and execution before reviewing video footage and discussing improvement opportunities.
The final day expanded the programme’s reach, with 44 union coaches joining the workshop. Coaches representing Navosa, Nadroga, Malolo, Nadi, Lautoka, Yasawa, Ba and Tavua unions, along with representatives from Navosa Central School, Ba Provincial School and Jasper Williams High School, participated in the practical sessions.
In a demonstration of Fiji Rugby’s coach development model, the RDOs and Coach Educators took the lead in delivering the sessions, supported by live demonstrations from Nadi players while Skivington provided mentorship and technical feedback from the sidelines.
The programme delivered several key outcomes, including enhanced understanding of attacking and defensive set-piece principles, broader coaching capability across the unions, and increased confidence among coach developers to lead future training initiatives. Importantly, it also reinforced Fiji Rugby’s commitment to building sustainable coaching excellence from grassroots through to the high-performance level.
Fiji Rugby has identified set-piece efficiency as a critical area for continued growth, and initiatives such as this workshop play an important role in ensuring coaches across the country are equipped with the knowledge and tools required to develop the next generation of Fijian rugby talent.
As Fiji Rugby continues to invest in coach education and development, the knowledge shared during the three-day programme is expected to have a lasting impact throughout the national rugby pathway, strengthening the foundations of Fiji’s game from community rugby to the international arena while further deepening the valuable relationship between Fiji Rugby and Gloucester Rugby.