PRIMARY schools in the province of Tailevu took a different direction in their schools rugby competitions yesterday.
This is compared with other zones that competed in the Vodafone Kaji Rugby National Finals in the past few days at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.
Supported by World Rugby, 20 schools in the Tailevu zone opted not to participate in the Suva tourney, but teamed up to promote girls’ and women’s rugby in Nausori for two days.
This is through the World Rugby and Fiji Rugby Union’s Get Into Rugby scheme through the Kids Rugby Friendship Festival that involves girls and boys in the game of tag rugby.
Festival director Lasarusa Senibale said they wanted to promote gender equality in rugby.
“We are having this festival to promote women’s rugby and also the Get Into Rugby or tag rugby,” Senibale said.
“This is an initiative from World Rugby. “The Kaji tournament (Suva) did not involve girls’ competition and that is why we didn’t participate.
“These kids are learning the basics of rugby and it will be developed through years and lay a strong foundation for Fiji Rugby.”
He said the players were skillful and displayed good rugby skills.
The Tailevu Zone Kids Rugby Friendship Festival is sponsored by World Rugby under women’s rugby and the Fiji Rugby Union with $9000 to finance costs of transportation of the 20 schools and the operation cost of the festival.
The playoffs and finals of the competition will be held today at the Ratu Cakobau Park.
