Empowered on the Field: How Women’s Rugby is Cultivating Change

The Ba Women’s Rugby Association is proving that a rugby field can be a catalyst for empowerment, resilience, and sisterhood, extending their impact beyond sport into community development. With support from Women’s Fund Fiji’s Climate Justice and Humanitarian Action initiative, the association is transforming 15 acres of unused land in Moto, Ba, into a flourishing farm.

This innovative project serves multiple purposes: it’s not just about generating income, but also nurturing a sense of community and fostering economic independence. The farm has become a place of healing and growth, especially for players like Torika Sabina, who turned to the farm after facing personal challenges, including losing her parents and experiencing family rejection. Here, she found not only solace but also purpose, as she and her teammates cultivate vegetables and crops that are sold at local markets, reinvesting the earnings into permanent structures to provide shelter for those in need.

The Ba Women’s Rugby Association’s executive, Malakai Vuninavanua, underscores the initiative’s goal: preparing young women for life beyond rugby. “I’m preparing the girls for life after rugby. They are being taught agricultural skills,” he stated. The farm stands as a sanctuary for many, a space where they can gain practical experience in farming while supporting themselves after their athletic careers.

Despite challenges such as accessing markets due to their farm’s location, the women have persevered, showcasing their teamwork as they transport their harvest via public buses. Each Friday, they gather to tend to the land, strengthening their bond both on and off the field.

For single mother Ilisapeci Viti, the farm is a refuge where she can forget her worries and find strength in her teammates. Her sentiments echo the broader commitment of the association to uplift women through sports and sustainable practices.

With their hands in the soil and hearts set on a brighter future, the Ba Women’s Rugby Association is cultivating not just crops but hope, exemplifying how community-driven initiatives can empower women, enhance food security, and pave the way for a sustainable future.

This initiative is a remarkable testament to the resilience of women in sports and agriculture, showing that with determination and collaborative effort, they can create lasting change in their lives and communities.