Olympians Seremaia ‘Jerry’ Tuwai and Rusila Nagasau have been appointed as ambassadors of the Get Into Rugby Plus program.
This was announced by the Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor last week.
“It would be hard to find two better role models than Rusila and Jerry for a program like Get Into Rugby Plus which promotes good character, respect and equality,” O’Connor said.
“We are extremely proud and honoured to have them represent Get Into Rugby Plus, Fiji Rugby Union and the program’s partners.”
Nagasau and Tuwai are household names in Fiji and among rugby fans globally on account of their outstanding achievements and longevity in Fiji 7s rugby.
Nagasau is excited about the appointment.
“I’m so happy to be an ambassador for Get into Rugby Plus,” she said.
“It has done so much for encouraging more girls to play rugby and for women to coach. But even more importantly, it is changing mindsets of girls and boys around gender equality, and that there is no place for violence, ever.”
Tuwai said rugby taught values such as discipline, hard work and respect.
“I love that Get Into Rugby Plus focuses on the rugby values such as respect, integrity and self-discipline,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter how fast you run, or how many tries you score, you need these qualities to succeed in rugby, as a player or a coach, and in life. The values that guide our game are what we live by. By living by these values we can help promote equality and end violence against women.”
The program is jointly developed and implemented by Fiji Rugby Union, Oceania Rugby, UN Women and ChildFund Rugby, and is currently delivered in both Fiji and Samoa.
