The development of women’s rugby continues to be a crucial focus for the Fiji Rugby Football Union, according to Acting CEO Koli Sewabu. In a recent statement, he emphasized the need for unions and stakeholders to intensify their commitment to nurturing women’s programs right from the grassroots level.
Sewabu acknowledged the historical challenges faced in promoting women’s rugby, stating, “The women’s space has always been a challenging one for us, so it was important to talk about that today and for unions and our grassroots areas to put a lot more focus on our women’s program.” A notable concern is the tendency for women’s rugby structures to be too closely linked to men’s systems, which can hinder independent growth and development.
To counter this issue, Fiji Rugby is exploring innovative approaches to elevate the women’s game on its own terms. “We are looking at strategic ways to break away from aligning with our men’s rugby system and come up with solutions to truly enhance and grow the women’s game,” Sewabu said.
Moreover, a dedicated Women in Rugby Strategy is set to be drafted in the upcoming weeks, which will be integrated into the broader strategic plan of Fiji Rugby. This aims to establish a solid foundation for sustainable growth in women’s rugby, particularly as international opportunities expand.
Fiji Rugby’s commitment to strengthening the women’s game reflects an encouraging shift in focus, aiming not only to build capacity and support systems but also to inspire the next generation of female athletes in the region. With these initiatives, there is hope that women’s rugby in Fiji will flourish, creating a more inclusive and vibrant rugby community.
Leave a comment