Sports making impact in the community

Seniloli a participant at the Train th Trainer Programme conducted in Taveuni by the Commission. They beat Westerland Natadra 14-7 to win the Huawei Ucunipotu 7s at Subrail Park. The event was organised by participants who attended the Taveuni training. The Commission assisted by paying for referees costs and venue of the event. TOT participants Epeli Degevere, Jone Matasere and Lusiana Yavala assisted in the Ucunipotu 7s as match officials.

Yavala also officiated at the recent Oceania 7s in Suva.

Nacavanadi 7s-Gau

Following two weeks of training in November, organisers of the Nacavanadi 7s who were part of the training conducted by the Commission on Gau successfully hosted the Nacavanadi 7s after a lapse 14 years Highlight of the tournament was the engagement of newly trained referees in the tournament.

If we wish to grow sports on the island, then we need to empower the islanders through accreditation under the various pathways. The Gau Sports Association was formed. They will now manage sports on the island under the community sports association structures organised by the Commission around the country.

A second tournament is organized by the Nacavanadi Old Scholars Association this weekend where trained officials will further benefit from the event

Bigger plans are in place for the island.

Diwali Celebration Volleyball-Delainavesi Over 300 youths participated in a volleyball tournament organised by the Delainavesi

The Somosomo Sharks after winning the Ucunipotu 7s in Labasa.

Youth Club following their recent successes in hosting community events.

Using Public holiday to engage youths in meaningful activities means a lot for youths from 10 communities in Delainavesi who participated. Officials trained by the Commission initiated and organised this successful meet. They were able to secure sponsorship from Hot Bread Kitchen and

Kadavu Rugby Referees Association Following the success of their inaugural rugby and netball tournament at the Nabukelevui-Ra Sevens in Kadavu in October, the Yaubla Sevens on the island this weekend involving 32 teams will be the next big one for the newly established Kadavu Rugby Referee’s Association.

The team of local referees are now becoming marketable to tournament orgainsers on the island where they are earning an income for their participation and engagement. Fiji Rugby will send a referee coach to assess their performance at the tournament.

These are four examples of how sports training conducted in the community are creating employment opportunities for community leaders trained through the Commisison Programmes.

Community Sports Associations

The Commission is etabslishing community sports associations in rural communities as the vehicle which will drive sports to create employment opportunities for people in communities.

The association concepts follows a multisport model where different sports are governed by one governing body in communities. Under the provincial council structures the tikinas or districts are ideally where we want community sports associations established to align with the existing provincial strutures. Community sports sssociations have been set up in Waidina, Namosi, Lakeba, Tainatoba (Wailevu Cakaudrove), Tunuloa, Buca Bay, Serua and Gau.

This is the platform to develop local talents by providing opportunities through sports. Sports in Serua have come alive in recent weeks followingthe training conducted at Navutulevu Village in September.

The Serua Community Sports Association has been actively mobilising resources within the province and formed committees to look after the different sports and how they organise their development under the associatrion umbrella.

Weightlifting In Serua

The Serua Weightlifting Committee is one of these committees set up to identify and develoip weightlifting talent through the newly opened Weightlifting Training Centre in Lomary.

With referees getting paid to officiate at the various rugby 7s tournaments opportunities are now available for other sports to organise competition in their sports under the community association umbrella and create employment opportunities for our communities. We will bring you more success stories in our next issue.

-Edited by Osea Bola