Women play a crucial role in maintaining national food security, supporting family well-being, and advancing sustainable agriculture. Recognizing this importance, the Ba Women’s Rugby Association has launched an affiliate club aimed at empowering young women.
Ilisapeci Viti, a representative of the association and a member of Life After Rugby, explained that this club is designed to support school dropouts, women rugby players whose contracts are not renewed, and those coming from broken families. Ilisapeci was an active participant in the recent National Women in Agriculture Symposium 2025, where she raised awareness about the club’s initiatives.
The club originated from a need for solidarity among unemployed women, uniting them under the mantra of “Life After Rugby.” It currently operates a farm in Chinakobi, cultivating a variety of crops, including pumpkins, eggplants, guava, breadfruit, and avocados. This agricultural endeavor was conceived as a means to provide financial sustenance to its members.
Initially boasting over 240 members, the club has seen a decline, now maintaining a core group of just 10 individuals managing the farm. Despite this reduction, Ilisapeci proudly states that the group has achieved remarkable milestones, such as constructing a three-bedroom house funded by the sale of their produce. Notably, two club members successfully represented Fiji, highlighting the club’s dual focus on agriculture and rugby development.
Ilisapeci encourages young girls to realize their potential, emphasizing the importance of utilizing their talents and the land available to them. The club serves as a testament to how community-driven initiatives can uplift women, fostering both agricultural skills and sports talent, much like the successes seen with the Waibau Women’s Club, which also empowers women through sustainable farming practices.
This inspirational story underscores the resilience of women in achieving economic independence and fostering a sense of community, while also paving the way for greater representation and success in women’s sports. The future holds promise for these women as they continue to create meaningful change in their lives and communities.
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