$1.5m to boost Fijiana’s World Cup preps

The Fiji Sports Commission (FSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of women’s rugby by allocating a Government Grant of $1.5 million to support the Vodafone Fijiana 15s team’s preparation and participation in the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

This significant investment, confirmed by FSC chief executive Peter Mazey, has already been instrumental in facilitating the team’s high-performance training programme and their recent tour of the United States—a crucial component of their World Cup build-up.

“The Fijiana team continues to inspire the nation with their resilience, passion, and performance,” said Mazey.

“We are proud to play our part in their journey and are confident they will represent Fiji with pride on the world stage.”

The grant also complements the ongoing support provided to Fijiana head coach Ioan Cunningham, ensuring leadership continuity and a stable high-performance environment for the team.

Fiji Rugby Union acting CEO Koli Sewabu acknowledged the FSC’s continued backing of women’s rugby, saying the grant will have a direct impact on the team’s preparation and performance.

“We are grateful to the Fiji Sports Commission and the Fijian Government for their unwavering support,” said Mr. Sewabu.

“This funding plays a vital role in ensuring the Fijiana 15s have the best possible preparation for the Rugby World Cup. It reflects our shared belief in the potential of women’s rugby to inspire, unite and elevate Fiji on the global stage.”

Through the Commission, the government has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the growth and development of rugby in our country.

“Their substantial investment and strategic support have been instrumental in elevating the sport, particularly through initiatives aimed at building local capability. This includes facilitating access to top-tier international coaches and high-performance consultants, whose expertise has been invaluable in strengthening our competitive edge. Thanks to the government’s visionary leadership and sustained backing, our national team has achieved remarkable progress, significantly raising our performance standards at both regional and international levels. Today, we stand as a rising force in global rugby, a testament to the transformative impact of this support,” added Sewabu.