Agro-Rugby Initiative Offers More: Saukuru
Starting with small things like just choosing a sport that you enjoy, makes you feel good and makes your eyes shine when you think about it.
Originally from Naviyago Village, Vitogo, Ba with maternal links to Lomanikoro, Rewa; Keona Saukuru, 20, is one of the 15 young rugby women that are part of the inaugural 10-week Agro-Rugby Programme now underway in Suva and the Fiji Rugby Academy farm at Qiolevu, Sawani.
Sports has been part of Saukuru’s life as both parents are gifted spotsman and sportswoman; mum Sainimili and dad Apenisa are former national volleyball reps while dad was national captain.
Saukuru is now involved in rugby following the 2021 COVID-19 lockdown when she and her cousins joined the Eastern Saints girls’ rugby programme.
“I was actively involved, I started playing at Number 8 because of my built,” Saukuru said.
“I’ve been taught how to play the position. I still am learning. I am feeling good.”
Those baby steps led her to the wellness programme organised by the Fiji Rugby Academy head, former national rugby rep Seremaia Bai – the boys’ agro-rugby group that took off in April this year.
“My interest in farming was the sole reason of my attending this programme. I kept asking the coaches if there was any for the girls and I was happy to know that coach Bai (Seremaia) did have plans to facilitate the same for girls too. Here we are now.”
Early this month the United States Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Small Grants awarded US$39,000 (F$86,248.50) to three Non-Government Organisations. The Fijian Teachers Association received
Aside rugby after this, I also will have farming and entrepreneurship skills Keona Saukuru Rugby player
The agro rugby initiative is a commercial agriculture venture supporting rugby players through a model developed by Bai.
US$10,000 (F$22,115), the United Nations Association received US$14,000 (F$30,960) and the Rugby Academy of Fiji received US$15,000 (F$33,172.50).
The agro-rugby initiative is a commercial agriculture venture supporting rugby players through a model developed by Bai.
Saukuru, the eldest of four siblings (two girls and two boys) despite her urban upbringing has taken the programme like duck takes to water.
There is another 14 young women in this programme whose ages range from 17-22 years. There is no need to have an agriculture or academic qualification to qualify for the course.
The young women receive travel, meal allowance and personal rugby gear.
Most of them are affiliated to rugby clubs while two currently play for their respective provincial teams. They are all from the Central Division.
“The interest, passion and yearn to learn more about rugby and business is all that is needed,” she said. “After the 10 weeks, I want to make a contribution in my home by having a vegetable garden outside our house- to plant vegetables and save money.
“Aside rugby after this, I also will have farming and entrepreneurship skills.”
With the agro-rugby, Bai is committed to creating a safe environment for young rugby-playing learner farmers.
A New Zealand Rugby World article quoted Bai saying: “Majority of youths in Fiji have no formal education; hence they look to rugby as a way out of poverty.
“Success is when opportunities and hard work converge.”
The first set of rugby-playing learner farmers (boys) is equipped with knowledge and action steps to start and sustain a backyard garden in their respective homes and eventually a semi-commercial or commercial farm in the long term. They’ve also had opportunities to get contracts to play rugby and work simultaneously in New Zealand, Australia and Europe.
“I am happy about this programme because I will be able to continue playing rugby while farming, making use of the abundance of land that we have, providing food for our families and earning an extra income from what we plant.” Saukuru added. com.fj