Fiji’s sevens rugby for women is proving to be very popular with close to 400 girls taking part in this year's National Women’s Age Grade Provincial Sevens Rugby at Prince Charles Park in Nadi today, 12 December.

From 12 teams competing in 2017 to 32 teams this year with 384 girls participating in just its second year, the competition has almost tripled in size.  

The Oceania Rugby and Fiji Rugby Union’s focus on equal participation in rugby for women, men, girls and boys, has resulted in double the number of provinces with women rugby teams.

Cathy Wong, Women’s Director Oceania Rugby said the perception that rugby is a sport for men only and not women still exists in Fiji.

“The Pacific is still a very patriarchal society and that’s embedded in everything, it is great to see that mindset proved wrong in the incredibly competitive women’s matches today.”

“The provincial areas of Fiji are where many of the national men’s team members come from yet the same cannot be said for the national women’s teams.”

She said one of the identified reasons or barriers for this is the lack of organisational pathways for women in provincial areas.

“Regular competitions would facilitate women to play more regularly and enhance performance.” 

“It is clear today, however, that these women and senior girls are just as dedicated, competent and driven to excel in rugby, as the men players. Rugby is a sport clearly suited to, and enjoyed by, both men and women equally,” she said.

The one-day competition is hosted by the Fiji Rugby Union in partnership with Oceania Rugby, and supported by gender equality partner UN Women through the Pacific Partnership.

Gender based violence and equality sessions

Promoting gender equality and in the long term, preventing violence against women through rugby is part of an agreement between Oceania Rugby and UN Women Fiji MCO, through the new Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls (Pacific Partnership), funded by the European Union and Australian Government, with support from UN Women.

Under this agreement, awareness sessions were held prior to the competition to ensure girl rugby players and their parents understand the importance of gender equality and equal participation, on and off the field, including in their community.

Discussions in these sessions were around gender inequality in sport and the challenges faced by females wanting to play rugby, as well as positive support from women coaches, violence against women and girls in sports including sexual assault, and the referral pathway for survivors of violence seeking support.

Parents talked about noticing an increase in the girl players self-confidence, and thanked coaches for their support and encouragement. At the end of the sessions, mothers committed to pass on information about the referral pathways and to encourage other women and girls in their community to talk more about ending violence against women and girls.

The sessions were led by UN Women.