During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, primary school students came together at Suva’s Bidesi Park for the inaugural Get Into Rugby (GIR) Plus Festival. This one-day event featured friendly tag rugby matches, allowing boys and girls from various schools, including those from Suva, Naitasiri, Nasinu, Rewa, and Nausori, to compete collaboratively.
The GIR Plus co-ordinator, Oripa Lee, emphasized that the festival sought to promote a culture of respect and trust between genders, grounded in the core values of rugby, embodied in the acronym DRIPS: Discipline, Respect, Integrity, Passion, and Solidarity. Lee stated that students have been educated on applying these values both in rugby and in their daily lives, with a focus on fostering a sporting spirit rather than an unhealthy competition defined solely by winning at any cost.
Reflecting on the past, Lee noted that the atmosphere surrounding sports had significantly shifted, decreasing incidents of violence and aggressive behavior both on and off the field. The transition from viewing rugby as a competition to a festival where children showcase their talents while adhering to the five core values has contributed to this positive change.
The initiative aligns with Fiji’s National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (NAP), leveraging sports as a mechanism for promoting respectful relationships among youth. Selai Korovusere, from the Department of Women, underscored the importance of sports in nurturing respectful and inclusive environments for young boys and girls. She highlighted ongoing collaborations with the Ministry of Education to incorporate these values into the education curriculum.
Participants shared personal testimonials of the program’s impact. Coach Maca Kaloundonu expressed pride in her students for exhibiting more open communication and willingness to address bullying. Others, like Dominika Marama from Bau District School, spoke about the challenges of ensuring comfortable training conditions for girl players, indicating the ongoing journey toward equality in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
The GIR Plus program is making promising strides in transforming attitudes and behaviors, fostering mutual respect among young participants as they learn essential life skills alongside sporting practices.
This initiative not only serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of gender equality and respect but also illustrates how sports can be a unifying force in shaping future generations. With continued efforts like these, there is hope for a more respectful and inclusive society.
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