The Lautoka Primary Schools Rugby Festival concluded successfully at Churchill Park, with an impressive turnout of young athletes showcasing their talents over several weeks. Adriu Qio, the president of Lautoka Primary Schools Rugby, expressed satisfaction with this year’s participation, noting it as one of the best to date due to the increased involvement of various schools, including several Indo-Fijian institutions such as Lautoka Andhra Sangam and Lovu Sangam, which joined the competition for the first time.
The festival featured competitions across multiple grades for both boys and girls. Boys competed in categories ranging from U9 to U14, divided into Vesi and Yasi categories, with the latter introduced to encourage participation from Indo-Fijian players. Meanwhile, girls participated in U10, U12, and U14 grades. Qio emphasized that the competition was designed more for development rather than a strict focus on winning, marking a shift from traditional competition models to a festival format that promotes enjoyment, learning, and skills showcasing.
This year’s festival underscored the growing interest in rugby development at the grassroots level in Lautoka, complemented by strong support from the community. Such events provide young athletes with valuable experience and solidify the foundation for rugby’s future in Fiji, ensuring that the sport continues to thrive among the youth.
The hope is that as young athletes gain experience and skill from events like this, they will foster a lifelong passion for rugby, contributing to Fiji’s rich sporting culture. The festival highlighted rugby not just as a competition, but as a community-building initiative, emphasizing teamwork and personal growth.
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