Get Into Rugby PLUS

The initiative “Get into Rugby PLUS” in Fiji represents a partnership among Oceania Rugby, Fiji Rugby, UN Women, and ChildFund. It was developed primarily for the Pacific Region, it draws inspiration from ChildFund’s award-winning sport-for-development initiative, Pass It Back. This program enhances the core “Get into Rugby” model by utilising rugby as a means to impart life skills, advocate for gender equality, and combat violence.


The initiative is aimed at children aged 10 to 16 years and consists of 16 sessions featuring team-oriented activities facilitated by qualified coaches. These coaches emphasise core values including integrity, solidarity, respect, discipline, and passion. The program is structured to create secure playing environments while promoting critical discussions on subjects such as respectful relationships and gender stereotypes.


The incorporation of life skill components aim to empower young people by promoting confidence and resilience, fostering positive behaviour, encouraging critical thinking and reflection around issues of gender, respectful relationships, and healthy conflict resolution.


It is a well-designed sport for development program – a proven way to achieve positive health and social outcomes, and support targets within the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

History of Get into Rugby PLUS

2017

Oceania Rugby and UN Women formed a partnership to explore event sponsorships and social marketing activities.

2018

18 coaches were trained in Fiji which aims to transform the mindset of coaches and prepare them for their roles.

2019

over 800 players benefitted under the leadership of 33 trained coaches.

2020 – 2021

despite the COVID lockdown, some powerful coaches continued to reach out to their players through Zoom sessions.

2022 – 2023

coaches were trained in Life-skills and Rugby coaching at PTC in Suva.

2023

over 4,000 were transformed and influenced by about 48 coaches.

2024

about 5674 players of which 65% are girls benefited from the program. 59 coaches are actively coaching the program and 63% of them are women.

Data of Get into Rugby Plus 2018 – 2024

Coaches Trained
Female
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Female
13
Refresher
7
12
COVID-19
13
9
Male
6
Refresher
11
7
COVID-19
10
9
Total
19
Refresher
18
19
COVID-19
23
18
Number of Players
Female
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Female
874
609
520
540
COVID-19
440
180
Male
463
468
540
480
COVID-19
380
180
Total
1337
1077
1060
1020
COVID-19
820
360
Active Coaches
Female
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Female
37
27
26
27
COVID-19
17
9
Male
22
21
27
24
COVID-19
16
9
Total
59
48
53
51
COVID-19
33
18
One
Two
Three

Impact of Get into Rugby PLUS

Promoting Gender Equality

Get into Rugby PLUS supports regional initiatives to build gender equality and prevent violence against women, girls and boys. The initiative has played a crucial role in confronting gender stereotypes and promoting gender equality in Fiji, a nation where rugby has historically been dominated by men. It guarantees equal participation of 50% for both males and females among coaches and players, thereby normalising the presence of women in leadership positions and on the playing field. Many coaches have become proactive change agents for gender equality and ending violence.

Reducing Violence and Harassment

A core aspect of Get into Rugby PLUS is its emphasis on the prevention of violence, including domestic and sexual violence as well as harassment. The program incorporates life skills education that promotes critical thinking and reflection regarding topics such as respectful relationships, gender stereotypes, and violence. Girls and boys are proactively promoting gender equality, reducing the use of violence in their lives, and having greater knowledge and support to identify, reduce, and report harassment and violence.

Empowering Youth and Building Life Skills

The program combines life skills education with rugby, focusing on critical thinking, self-reflection, and core values such as integrity, solidarity, respect, discipline, and passion. These skills contribute to the development of confidence, resilience, and leadership abilities in young people. Additionally, parents have noticed positive transformations in their children’s lives such as shift in behaviour, progress in academic achievement, improved problem-solving and decision making skills and willingness to communicate problems.

Transformative Impact on Coaches

Coaches have experienced significant personal and professional development as a result of the program. They have described the program to be transformative in terms of their behaviour, leadership and rugby pathways in general.

Community and Cultural Impact

The program has positively impacted community perceptions, as parents and local residents have seen an increase in respectful interactions between girls and boys, both in sports and everyday situations. Additionally, the initiative also supports wider regional efforts such as the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls, which aligns with the strategies aimed at addressing social challenges in Fiji and the Pacific Region.

Partners