The new phase of the Australian Government’s Pacific sport for development program, Team Up, was launched at Albert Park in Suva today by Minister for Youth and Sports, Parveen Bala, and Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji, Paul Wilson.

Working to transform lives through sport, the initial phase of Team Up will support six sport for development programs in Fiji. The Programs are delivered in partnership by Fijian sporting and non-sporting organisations, with support from the Australian High Commission and Team Up management in Australia.

Team Up activities will be run in community and school settings and use sport to bring people together, champion inclusion and create opportunities.

Fijian Team Up programs:

• Basketball for Good (FIBA in Oceania partnering with Basketball Fiji): using the power of basketball to initiate positive change in society

• Cricket for Good (ChildFund Australia partnering with Cricket Fiji): an integrated cricket and like skills program that equips children and young people to overcome challenges and promote gender equality and the elimination of violence in their communities

• Just Play Plus (Oceania Football Confederation partnering with Fiji Football Association and Football Australia): helping children to grow and learn life lessons through football

• League for Life (NRL partnering with Fiji National Rugby League): using the power of rugby league to engage and develop Fijian communities to improve gender equality, social cohesion, health and participation opportunities for people with disabilities

• Get Into Rugby Plus (Rugby Australia partnering with ChildFund Australia, Fiji Rugby Union, Oceania Rugby and UN Women): embedding life skills learning with rugby union to promote positive behaviour, gender equality, and prevent violence

• Smash Down Barriers (ITTF-Oceania partnering with Fiji Table Tennis Association): using table tennis as a tool to improve the lives of people with disabilities by increasing participation opportunities and improving attitudes towards disability

Deputy High Commissioner, Paul Wilson, said “Sport is such a power tool in helping all people, regardless of their gender, ability or background, to reach their full potential. That’s what Team Up is all about. Here in Fiji, it’s also about strengthening sporting links between Fiji and Australia under the Vuvale Partnership.”

Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj