The Votualevu Youth Rugby Club is making significant strides in transforming youth sports in Fiji, providing a vital avenue for young people as the community faces a serious drug crisis. Club official Seremaia Visawaqa highlights that the revival of one of Nadi’s historic clubs goes beyond merely restoring its legacy; it is about saving lives.
Visawaqa notes an alarming trend where children are increasingly drawn into harmful behaviors, and asserts that engagement in sports acts as a critical deterrent against such influences. While the club is eager to reconnect with its history of nurturing exceptional players, its main focus is on addressing the growing issue of drug abuse among the youth.
“This was one of the oldest clubs in Nadi and it used to produce a lot of great players back in the day but then it just disappeared. We decided to revive the club once again so we could join in the fight against drugs,” he states.
What sets the Votualevu Youth Rugby Club apart is its genuine commitment to offering concrete alternatives for young individuals. “We’re not trying to just preach about it but to actually do something about it so these kids are drawn away from drugs,” Visawaqa emphasizes.
The urgency of their mission is highlighted by alarming statistics from Fiji, which indicate that some of the youngest drug users are as young as seven years old. “If we don’t do nothing now, it will be too late,” Visawaqa cautions, underscoring the critical need for active engagement with youth.
In this light, the upcoming Nadi Junior Rugby Festival, which will feature 95 teams from Under-8 to Under-18 across both boys’ and girls’ divisions, signifies more than just competition. With support from Oceania Rugby, it serves as a source of hope, structure, and purpose for hundreds of young people in need of direction and support.
Through its efforts, the Votualevu Youth Rugby Club is not only revitalizing a sports tradition but also fostering a community that stands together against drug abuse, instilling resilience and a sense of responsibility in the youth. This initiative embodies a positive shift toward healthier futures for the young people of Fiji.