New Zealand Fijian girls’ rugby coach Jone Fihaki is advocating for the creation of tournaments like the Global Youth 7s in Fiji, emphasizing their significance in identifying talented young female players who often go unnoticed. He notes that many skilled girls are not receiving the competitive opportunities necessary for them to excel, as they typically compete in low-visibility environments that lack access to higher-level exposure.
Fihaki argues that events such as the Global 7s serve as crucial platforms for athletes to showcase their talent in front of coaches and selectors. These tournaments can potentially open doors to national representation and additional career opportunities. He highlights that while boys’ rugby has historically received a majority of the attention, the explosion of interest in women’s rugby underlines the urgent need for Fiji to invest in similar competitions specifically designed for girls.
The coach envisions that organizing these events locally would offer aspiring players greater opportunities to compete, hone their skills, and gain visibility, thus revealing the remarkable depth of talent across the country. Fihaki is hopeful that Fiji Rugby will take his suggestions seriously and consider launching local iterations of such tournaments, which would further support women’s rugby both domestically and within the Fijian diaspora.
In a related development, the recent Global Youth 7s in Auckland concluded with New Zealand’s under-18 girls’ and boys’ teams emerging victorious. Fihaki’s push for action reflects a growing awareness of the necessity to nurture female rugby talent. This initiative not only has the potential to lead to a more equitable future for women’s sports in the region but also serves to inspire a new wave of female athletes to explore and thrive in rugby.