The Nasinu Volleyball Alliance (NVA), in collaboration with the Fiji Sports Council (FSC), is thrilled to unveil the Rooster Chicken Volleyball Grassroot Development Festival, an ambitious two-day tournament aimed at enhancing the level of volleyball throughout Fiji while nurturing emerging talent.
NVA president Mataiasi Daulako expressed enthusiasm regarding the preparations, noting that teams from the West, North, and Central Divisions are eagerly preparing for this competitive event. “We thank the Fiji Sports Council for their initiative and partnership with the Nasinu Volleyball Alliance in this festival, and we are particularly grateful for Rooster Chicken, our main sponsor, whose support has elevated this tournament to a new level,” Daulako stated.
The objective of the festival is to uplift the standards of volleyball by offering a substantial prize money pool designed to motivate rigorous training and performance. This initiative aims to use sport as a tool to positively engage youth, steering them away from crime and substance abuse, while providing grassroots players and clubs with the opportunity to showcase their skills in a high-level competitive environment.
Daulako emphasized that the Grassroot Volleyball Festival is a prime opportunity for clubs and players to display their talents and compete for significant prizes. The concept for this festival was introduced early last year during discussions between Fiji Sports Council CEO Gilbert Vakalalabure and the NVA on how to work together to foster and develop volleyball as a prominent sport in Fiji.
He highlighted Fiji’s potential to secure a medal in beach volleyball at the Olympics, stating that this initiative will enhance preparations for players before they enter Fiji Volleyball Federation (FVF) sanctioned tournaments, enabling the discovery of untapped skills at the grassroots level.
Currently, 18 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams have confirmed their participation, including notable sides like Police Blue (Vulaca Champion 2024), Avengers (recent finalists in the FVF Interclubs 2025), Redline, Tuatua from Labasa, Kinoya Heartland (winners of last year’s Interclub), and Gold Jets from Nadi.
The festival is set to take place at the FMF Gym and car park on Thursday and Friday, marking a significant opportunity for volleyball development in Fiji. This event not only aims to elevate the competitive spirit within the sport but also to cultivate a supportive community around volleyball, and ultimately contribute to the country’s sporting success on the international stage.