Fiji junior competition set to begin

Cricket Fiji's Under-19 National Championship gets underway on Monday (August 23).

Designed to target players for the national Under-19 team (the Emerging Blues), the tournament is split into two regional sections consisting of four teams each - the Eastern and Western Conferences.

The Western Conference, including Suva, Nadi, Lautoka and Tailevu, commences next Monday with a meeting between home team Lautoka and Tailevu.

Meanwhile, Moce will host an Eastern Conference also containing Lakeba, Komo and Oneata, with Moce taking on Lakeba in the opening encounter on August 30.

Cricket Fiji High Performance Manager Steve Jenkin has stressed the importance of the tournament for junior cricket in the nation.

"Firstly, it is a great opportunity for young players from all around the country to play cricket at a representative level," Jenkin explained.

"However, it is also the first step in players being identified for the Emerging Blues team that will play at the Under-19 EAP Cricket Trophy early next year."

An 'All-Star' three-match series will take place after the conclusion of each conference, featuring select teams from each section, based on their performances in the competition. A national squad will then be chosen at the end of these games.

"Players who are hoping to play in the Emerging Blues will need to perform well in the conference tournaments in order to get selected into the All Star team," said Jenkin.

The full tournament schedule is:

Western Conference - Competing teams: Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, Tailevu

Eastern Conference - Competing Teams: Moce, Komo, Lakeba, Oneata