Tonga supports Oceania Rugby in its Oceania Unstoppable - Women in Rugby Month this September, celebrating the progress of women and girls in rugby and inspiring the next generation.

Vice Chair of Tonga Women's Rugby Union (TWRU) and Coach for Tonga's National Women Rugby Sevens, Fehoko Tu'ivai said today, they are happy that women in rugby are being acknowledged and highlighted this month.

She commended Oceania Rugby for its initiative, which Tonga supports as an union member, providing a platform for new talent to join the sport.

TWRU Board members include President Hon Fanetupouvavau Tu'ivakano, Vice-President Vanessa Heleta, Chairlady 'Aisiena Taumoepeau, Vice Chair Fehoko Tu'ivai and Secretary Savelina Pale.

As part of this month's celebration Oceania has also nominated TWRU chair 'Aisiena Taumoepeau as one of the leaders in the sport.

TWRU ongoing activities this month, includes a Touch Rugby skills training held every Saturday for under-16. It also collaborates with Talitha Project in a program called Front Row Against Violence funded by UN Women for under-16s.

This is In addition to the Federation of International Touch providing an Accreditation Level 1 Online Training for referees and coaches, which began on August 31, among other activities.

Region

Oceania Rugby said there had been a global increase of more than 200% of registered female rugby players over the last six years.

The launch of the Women in Rugby this month comes at an opportune time as September also marks the start of a 12 months countdown until the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Growing the support for women in rugby is a key component of the campaign which will showcase the success and contributions of women in all aspects of the game as players, officials, coaches and leaders in decision making, and illustrates that rugby is no longer just a men’s game.

Oceania Rugby General Manager Bruce Cook said that there is a lot of excitement around the launch of Oceania Unstoppable-Women in Rugby in September.

“Our Member Unions, partnerships and programs, have been dedicated to changing attitudes, making rugby safe and accessible to girls, providing a full competition pathway and growing female representation in all roles on and off the field.” 

He said the initiatives are bearing fruit with unprecedented rates of participation by girls in Get into Rugby across the region, a growing supporter base among both males and females and escalating numbers of women Coaches, Match-Officials and Board Members,” he added.

Oceania Rugby is committed to supporting women in rugby through making the successes visible, shared learning, inspiring women and men to be unstoppable together, and creating dialogue about girls in rugby. 

He said, this month gives us all the opportunity to focus our efforts on these worthy objectives.

Throughout September, Oceania Rugby will drive women-focused regional webinars, training and media activities that will address different women in rugby themes: Players, Leaders, Match Officials and Coaches. 

Women’s Professional Development and Networking is a priority with Zoom Sessions and Online ‘Leading Rugby Courses’, with Governance and Leadership will be enhanced through an invitation-only forum with current and aspiring leaders in governance.

In addition, modules that address safeguarding and inclusion, Oceania Rugby’s new Get Into Rugby Integrated Training will be launched in Fiji.

Most countries and member unions in Oceania are joining the campaign delivering local girls/women’s focused initiatives, participating in the Oceania Rugby led forums, professional development networks and training opportunities and sharing stories of their local Women in Rugby champions.

At the same time, details of the Women in Rugby month activities that will be delivered this month will be available on the Oceania Rugby website.