The 18-strong Southern side were selected from the FFA Centre of Excellence U-16 competition, and will play a game against the Thornleigh Thunder FC U-16 side as part of the Sydney club’s three-game itinerary.
This season Thornleigh won Sydney’s Gladesville-Hornsby Football Association U-16 grade, and have been preparing for the end-of-year Fiji games since March.
Southern coach Shalen Lal said his squad, which has been narrowed down from the original 21 selected, would assemble in camp this week.
“We will do our final polishing and structure work in camp ahead of the game,” said Lal, who previously represented Fiji as a player.
“Unfortunately we could only include 18 players for this match, but chances for selection will remain open as there are more games coming up in the U-16 grade.”
The Southern team are also being assisted by former Fiji men’s coach Yogendra Dutt.
“The players have been through sessions which focussed on team shape and structure with the help of Dutt,” Lal said.
“We are fortunate to have him on board to help us prepare this team.”
The Thornleigh side arrive in Nadi on Monday, with games against Natabua High School on 22 September, Sangam SKM College on 24 September and Southern on 26 September.
This is the first time in 20 years that a Thornleigh U-16 side has toured Fiji, and as part of the cultural experience the players will also attend a class at Sangam SKM College prior to their game.
The team will also be donating to their host schools as a goodwill gesture.
Thornleigh Thunder FC U-16 Fiji tour details
22 September v Natabua High School at Natabua High School
24 September v Sangam SKM College at Sangam SKM College
26 September v FFA Southern U-16 at the FFA Centre of Excellence