Women’s Rugby Launched in Savusavu

The current Telecom Fijiana success on international stage and qualifying to the Olympics has really attracted more females to try out for the sport of rugby. Last weekend, women’s rugby was launched in Savusavu which was attended by Fiji Women’s Development officer Vela Naucukidi and assisted by Paulini Tamatasasa.

On the first day of the tournament, only two teams turned up and then the next day another one joined, but on the final day, two more teams were added into the draws. Ms Naucukidi was grateful to the organizers who despite all that, they still allowed all the girls to play if they wanted to.

“First of all I would like to thank the tournament organizers for allowing room for the women to play and using their tournament to officially launch women’s rugby in Savusavu,” Ms Naucukidi said.

The support for women’s rugby in the north was overwhelming and every time they ran onto the field there’s a lot of positive comments from the sideline.

“I have been involved in the game for more than 10 years now and I believe this is the first place I visited where mums, dads, sisters and brothers all came together to watch the girls play.”

“Before or after every women’s game, we would go around to check on the teams, conduct some skills training or to just encourage them and it’s heartwarming to see mothers and aunts join in with their daughters and nieces to do the skills.”

Ms Naucukidi said she plans to visit them again soon.

“I reckon it’s worth investing in places where the interest, passion and talents exist and also accepted by the community. We need to use those areas to promote and expand the game.”

She also thanked Ana Seru for organizing the players in the Hidden Paradise.

Miss Seru who used to play in Suva a while back, was transferred to FNPF Savusavu and could not believe the support she witnessed at Ganilau Park.

“I am so happy to see the response from the crowd every time we run onto the field. We have come a long way, and to actually see this is just incredible,” she said.

Building up to the tournament, she was greeted by strangers who thanked her for starting up rugby in Savusavu. This is the first time for the team to play. The tournament was such a big hit, that she started getting phone calls straight after the tournament from more girls who wanted to join.

“The players really enjoyed themselves and they want to take part in other tournaments too, so now with a few more teams confirmed in the Savusavu area alone, we will have more 7s tournament around here.”

She revealed that as soon as they have more players they will start a 10s tournament then 15s.

“While there’s still a lot of talk in town about women’s rugby we should start a league competition.”

Interesting to note that most of these players that played on the day also took part in the netball competition on the same weekend.

Meanwhile, the ladies from Labasa won the final of the women’s competition and they also received the prize for the furthest traveling team. The most disciplined team went to Savusavu team II which consisted of secondary school girls. Anaseini Steiner of Labasa received the best player award and the youngest player went to 13 year old Finau Kaulele. Kaulele also represented Cakaudrove in the Kaji rugby U10, 11 and 13. She played with the boys in that competition.