The Drua Foundation and the Reddy Foundation are set to debut a dedicated program in Vanua Levu this December. This initiative, driven by a new partnership between the two foundations, aims to empower young individuals, including players, coaches, and officials, by providing learning opportunities from expert trainers and rugby professionals. The collaboration highlights a commitment to not only enhancing rugby’s technical aspects in remote communities but also using the sport as a conduit for delivering health and education initiatives.
The three-day training event, scheduled in Labasa from December 2 to December 4, will focus on building the skills of coaches and officials, with workshops on Safeguarding and Finance Literacy conducted by ANZ. Supported by Damodar Event Cinemas, the program represents a collaborative effort to unite communities through sport. Participants will gain access to World Rugby Level 1 courses covering First Aid, Introduction to Coaching, and Strength and Conditioning for Children, empowering them to implement rugby programs within their communities.
Reddy Foundation’s Managing Director, Rohit Reddy, emphasized the power of collaboration in this venture, aiming to bring people together through rugby while promoting education, positive values, and resilience. Meanwhile, Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, seeing it as a critical step in widening the reach and impact of such programs to build stronger communities through rugby.
This initiative aligns with previous efforts by the Drua Foundation, which, in collaboration with organizations like the New Zealand Government, has worked to connect remote communities through rugby. Recent projects have included initiatives aimed at fostering youth participation, emphasizing women’s involvement in the sport, and integrating educational and health outcomes through rugby training programs across various regions in Fiji.
Overall, this new program by the Drua and Reddy Foundations is a hopeful stride towards unlocking rugby’s potential as a unifying and developmental force in Fiji’s rural areas, paving the way for greater community engagement and enrichment. The initiative not only signifies an investment in the sport itself but also in the holistic development of Fijian youth, setting the stage for a brighter future through the powerful medium of rugby.