Women’s Rugby – a new season

Fiji Woman Rugby

With the Women’s Development Officer now appointed Fiji Rugby has exciting times ahead for the ladies. Women’s Rugby is the fast growing sport in the world and World Rugby has invested a lot on the development of the game. With that same vision, Fiji Rugby Union is geared at increasing women’s participation in Fiji.

“This is a perfect time to grow the sport in the country to another level due to the inclusion of the sport in the Olympics,” said recently appointed officer Ms Vela Naucukidi. “The players are more recognized and women’s rugby has been accepted in most communities around the country,” she added.

Ms Naucukidi believes that FRU has done a lot for the players, changing how they live their lives – for the better and exposing them to a more professional environment.

However, there is a lot more to be done to lift the profile of the sport and to get more women involved and to equally retain them. “Now with the introduction of a development officer post in Fiji, it proves that Rugby House has recognized the need to develop the fast growing sport and maximize the potentials that the our Fijian ladies have, on and off the field,” Ms Naucukidi mentioned.

At a high level the FRU Women’s Development Officer after a month of research and consultation has indentified the current situation and has set key objectives to work on.

CURRENT SITUATION

• Get into Rugby has been introduce to most targeted schools
• No pathway for women’s rugby
• Local Unions buy-in and participation
• Lack of commitment in real terms to Women’s Rugby in Fiji
• Scare resources for the development and promotion of Women’s Rugby in Fiji
• Limited player base
• Only Five registered clubs under Fiji Women’s Rugby Union
• Limited qualified women’s coaches, match officials, S & C trainers
• Distance between major urban areas.
• Limited funds

KEY OBJECTIVES

• Introduction of rugby in schools
• Local Unions awareness and participation
• Increase the numbers of clubs, tertiary, provincial teams
• Increase of women participation as Match Officials, Coaches, S & C coaches and managers
• More Awareness and promotional program – rugby being an Olympic sport
• Seek funding from corporate companies, Fiji Sports Commission (FSC), Oceania National & Olympic Committee (ONOC), Fiji Association & National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) and NGO’s funding
• Create a database of all players and follow up on potential players for national duties.

Ms Naucukidi says she has a very supportive team of development officers to assist her and adds that the response (to training and clinics) has been great.  “It’s good to see that there’s a lot of ladies and young girls out there who want to be involved in developing the game.”

She says those who wish to participate as a player, coach or match officiating can contact her Rugby House or on email wdo@fijirugby.net