Wallabies’ legends engage in first ever GIR Plus Mini Festival

Fiji-born Wallabies stars Lote Tuqiri and Radike Samo were present at the first ever Western Mini Festival organized by the Get Into Rugby Plus program at Saint Thomas Primary School in Lautoka today.

The two were part of a delegation from Rugby Australia including Queensland Reds centre Izaac Henry, Daniel Miller of Rugby Australia and Joana Rabaka of the Queensland Reds women’s team.

Through the program’s close collaboration and partnership with Team Up, the crew from Rugby Australia were able to share some rugby knowledge to the kids, present a few Wallabies jerseys and be part of the one-day event.

The festival featured about 300 kids from 10 schools across the Western division including kids from Koroipita Community.

GIR Plus Officer Akanisi Lupe said the festival was much needed as kids were able to put into practice what they have learnt over the weeks.

The GIR Plus program not only helps kids enhance their rugby skills, but also contributes to their personal well-being and life skills.

“Apart from promoting rugby, our two main outcomes are promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women and girls. We use rugby as a tool to address those issues,” she said.

Fiji’s own Lote Tuqiri said it was great to be back and helping the growth of rugby in his home country.

“We were surprised at the number of kids that have shown up today, this is a true testament of how the sport can change your life,” he said.

“We hope this program continues to flourish and we see it bear fruits in a few years’ time when these kids get a chance to don the national jersey,” he added.

The week-long program ends on Friday at Albert Park in Suva.