Big Team Turnout at Championship
Close to 400 girls converged at Prince Charles Park in Nadi for the National Women’s Age Grade Provincial Sevens Rugby.
In just its second year, the competition has almost tripled in size, from 12 girls’ teams competing in 2017 to 32 teams this year, with 384 girls taking part.
This reflects the increasing focus on equal participation in rugby - for women and men and for girls and boys – by Oceania Rugby and Fiji Rugby Union that in the past year has resulted in double the number of provinces* to have women rugby teams. Using rugby to promote gender equality and, longer term, to prevent violence against women is also central to an agreement between Oceania Rugby and UN Women Fiji MCO, made possible 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.
“In Fiji, there is sometimes the perception that rugby is a sport only for men and not women. 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,” said Cathy Wong, Women’s Director Oceania Rugby.
“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. 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 National Women’s Age Grade Provincial 7s was hosted by the Fiji Rugby Union, in partnership with Oceania Rugby, and supported by gender equality partner UN Women through the Pacific Partnership.
In just its second year, the competition has almost tripled in size, from 12 girls’ teams competing in 2017 to 32 teams this year, with 384 girls taking part.