The Kaiviti Silktails Rugby League Football Club has kicked off its first week of pre-season training with a strong emphasis on establishing team culture as they prepare for the 2026 NSWRL Jersey Flegg competition. Following a season that yielded four wins and a draw — a marked improvement over a winless 2024 — the squad is eager to build a unified and supportive environment.
Head Coach Timoci Duve addressed the team’s goals and expectations early in the training week. When asked how the momentum from last season has carried into training, he said, “We really laid down the expectations of the year in our induction on Sunday. After the four wins and the draw last season, we lost about 10 games last year within 10 points. So yes, the expectations are high, and at the same time there’s plenty of work to be done, especially with our new young ones coming in. We’re looking forward to the 2026 season, but we have been working pretty hard on integrating the new squad.”
Duve was then asked about the influence of players entering their third year in the program and how they’re affecting the early training standards. He responded, “There’s some experienced heads around the place. We’ve got a few boys that have been in the program for three years now, and they are really putting their hands up. They’re actually leading from the front and setting the standards for the new recruits that have come in this year.”
When it came to the key priorities for Week 1, Duve emphasized the importance of establishing culture: “We’re looking to just establish the culture; that’s my priority for the first week. Putting the standards in place and the expectations is crucial. We’ve covered so much in just a few days. We worked a lot on our fundamental skills, as well as our speed and conditioning.”
Finally, Duve shared what excites him about the 2026 squad based on what he has seen so far: “I’ve actually gone around the island trying to find players that we believe will excel in our environment, both on and off the field. The young players that are coming in — we have a bunch of 17 and 18-year-olds who have been recruited this year — are very eager to learn. I believe there’s so much that we can do and achieve in the 2026 season.”
As the Kaiviti Silktails continue their pre-season training, the focus on building a strong team culture will be pivotal for the squad’s success as they aim for greater achievements in the upcoming season. With a clear vision and dedicated leadership, the Silktails are poised for a promising year ahead.
