Ana Rabuka, the manager of the Tagimocia Ranadi sevens team, is advocating for unbiased selection processes for the Fijiana national rugby team. In a recent interview with SUNsports, she emphasized the importance of equitable opportunities for all players during selection.
Rabuka proposed that selectors should attend local tournaments to observe and evaluate players from various clubs firsthand. She expressed her concern that the current selection system favors a narrow spectrum of players, which diminishes the efforts of grassroots clubs that have consistently performed well in local competitions.
She stated, “We need non-bias selection when it comes to our national team,” highlighting that a more inclusive approach could inspire grassroots players to enhance their performance. By recognizing the contributions of grassroots clubs, Rabuka believes that fairer selection could lead to greater motivation and improvement in local women’s rugby.
In addition to selection fairness, Rabuka noted the need to review prize money for women’s teams in local tournaments to promote gender equality in sports.
Her team’s recent success at the Nataleira 7s, where they won the women’s division, showcases the talent present in grassroots rugby, further emphasizing her call for a fairer selection process.
With these changes, there is hope that women’s rugby in Fiji can flourish, encouraging a more diverse range of talent and fostering a stronger competitive spirit throughout the sport. By addressing equity issues, Fiji can build a more inclusive and vibrant rugby culture that recognizes and rewards the hard work at all levels of the sport.
Leave a comment