A five-year Quick Rip rugby health program was launched on February 6 in Nuku’alofa with ambassadors Former All Black Pita ‘Alatini and Black Fern Charlene Gubb taking the sport across Tongatapu.

This New Zealand funded Sports for Health Rugby Program worth $4 million investment focuses on both girls and boys aged 13-18 is being introduced in Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands and Samoa under a Pacific Sporting Partnership delivered by New Zealand Rugby. It is aimed to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage Pacific children to be active and to get involved in sports as well assisting efforts to reduce the rate of non-communicable diseases.

Acting New Zealand High Commissioner Nick Hurley in launching the program at Kolomotu'a rugby field said playing sport is a great way to get children active and learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle while having fun.

Quick Rip is a non-contact rugby that is safe and easy-to-play aims to encourage young men and women, their parents and communities to be active and practice healthy eating behaviours.

NZ Rugby will work closely with Tonga Rugby Union to deliver Quick Rip in Tonga and will train local coaches, referees and help ensure that Tonga has the equipment, coaching skills and technical support they need to lift young people’s participation in sports, he said.

“Tongans love of sports and the recent success of Tongans on the sports field highlight the importance of developing sport at the community level.”

The Deputy Prime Minister Hon Semisi Sika who was present extended government's support to this initiative to promote healthier living.

Healthy living

For the Ministry of Health, CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said it is pleasing to see activities focusing on ways to increase participation in sport outside of school settings.

What we see here is direct linkage between this initiative and Tonga's NCD Strategy, and there is plan to set up opportunities for physical activities, exercice and increase the supply of a sport like Quick Rip to our children, where sports equipment will be made available, he said.

"This will increase engagement of parents and communities, strengthen capacity of local providers, improve access to sporting activities and raise awareness among parents and communities on the importance of physical exercise and good nutrition for improving healthy lifestyles."

The ambassadors held free Quick Rip demonstrations for the western district at Kolovai on February 5 and would be at 'Atele on February 7.