Rugby Festival helps communities, says Bai
Milo tag festival is about community engagement as some of the villages don’t have access to rugby clinics and events says Rugby Academy Fiji founder Seremaia Bai.
Bai made the statement while opening the one day tag festival at Sila Central High School Grounds in Vuci, Nausori yesterday.
500 children from six different communities in Nausori participated in the festival.
“These kids for sure will aspire to have that pathway (Drua) based locally and it’s not only the pathway to rugby but a pathway to make it to life,” Bai said.
“Not everyone is going to be successful in rugby; participating here is about building better communities, investing in our children, prioritizing education, their wellbeing and mental health especially our relationship with one another and we use rugby as a vehicle to move these things and for them to participate.”
Bai also urged the need to have an investment in younger kids.
Communities should have regular programmes to improve their rugby and life skills to keep them on the right path.
“I’m fortunate and thankful that this partnership with Nestle (Milo) since 2018 as we’ve reached out to so many communities and hopefully change lives and putting smiles on these kids’ faces.”
Bai highlighted that Rugby Academy
in partnership with Nestle (Milo) is reaching out to kids to advocate that rugby can contribute to a successful life and learn lifetime values of rugby in life.
“It’s just participation; having these communities come together, love one another and know one another. We grow as a community and learn how best will our Fiji be - to love one another with rugby is our tool for a change.”
Speaking to SUNSports, Bai revealed that they plan to organise a similar festival in Sigatoka.
“It’s great to see huge turnout of parents, communities and I’m just wishing all the students out there enjoying their holiday all the best,” he said.