Video: In Fiji, rugby is more than just a sport!

The depth of talent and growing public support was showcased when the high school women 7s final was played in front of a capacity stadium and women and girls’ entry level 'Get Into Rugby' participation increased by 80%. On Friday 8 December 2016, Fijiana 15s began the second part of their campaign to qualify for the World Cup. 

Fiji Rugby Union and Oceania Rugby have responded to the University of the South Pacific's award winning research into the barriers, motivations and opportunities for women's rugby and used the recommendations to create a multi-pronged strategy to increase girls and women’s participation and build an infrastructure that supports women taking up a range of roles. A corner stone is the Community Heroes program. Every day, newly trained male and female rugby ambassadors travel to schools, villages, churches and other places where women and girls gather to give girls and women a chance to try the game. They also lead talanoa sessions to challenge ideas about gender roles and find solutions to barriers to participation. 

There is still much to do.

“We want to give teenagers and young women and great experience in the game so they keep coming back. We need women to contribute as coaches, officials and administrators. And we want to open the door to new partners, especially ones that care about new opportunities for girls and women.”

said Vela Naucukidi Fiji Rugby Union development officer.

• Visit the Oceania Rugby website for more information.