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What is the potential development impact of rugby-generated remittances for iTaukei, indigenous Fijian families and what are some of the challenges athletes and/or their families face ensuring any gains make a difference in the longer term?

Rugby union in Fiji is central to the vaka i taukei (indigenous way of life).1,2 The passion and conviction afforded to rugby in Fiji provides a space for hegemonic masculine expression and aspirational social and economic achievement. Therefore many Fijian men see rugby as a possible means of livelihood, encouraging them to strive towards the ‘rugby dream.’ With many indigenous Fijians living below the poverty lineii and the fact that rugby in Fiji is not bound by classiii where even the poorest can participate, further incentive for viewing rugby as a livelihood option can be seen. 

To date no research has been undertaken investigating the way rugby union is used as a livelihood strategy. This exploratory study aims to better understand rugby as a livelihood choice by asking broadly: What is the potential development impact of rugby-generated remittances for iTaukei, indigenous Fijians families? More specifically we ask:

Research Question 1: How do remittances contribute to growing capitals and what types of capitals are being grown?

Research Question 2: How do remittances contribute to creating choices and opportunities and what types of choices and opportunities are being created – now and in the longer term?

Research Question 3: What are some of the challenges athletes and families face when using rugby as means of livelihoods creation, which influences any sustained impact?

To read the article in its entirety, please find it on the JSFD open- access website.

Publisher

Tags

Fiji
Australasia
Rugby
8 - Decent work and economic growth
Youth
https://www.sportanddev.org/research-and-learning/resource-library/rugby-union-fiji-and-development-impact-rugby-generated

Resource Details

SVG
Journal Articles
2017
Files
764.53 KB, pdf

Tags

Country
Fiji
Region
Australasia
Sport
Rugby
Sustainable Development Goals
8 - Decent work and economic growth
Target Group
Youth