More than 650 primary school students participated in the one-day Get Into Rugby (GIR) Plus Rugby Festival at Buckhurst Park in Suva, celebrated under bright and sunny skies. The festival was a stark contrast to last year’s event, which was abruptly concluded due to heavy rain, preventing children from fully enjoying their matches. This time, fine weather created optimal conditions for tag rugby, allowing young athletes to showcase their skills and engage in healthy competition while being cheered on by parents and guardians.
Noame Rabeni, the GIR Plus support officer, expressed gratitude for the favorable weather, attributing it to the prayers of players and coaches who hoped for a positive day. Rabeni emphasized the importance of the event for the young players and thanked parents for their steadfast support, which significantly contributes to the success of such gatherings.
The festival not only provided an arena for physical activity but also reinforced essential values through rugby, promoting a spirit of camaraderie and inclusion among participants. According to previous events, such as the GIR Plus Festival held at Bidesi Park in Laucala Bay, the focus has shifted from competitive stress to fostering community and recognizing every participant’s effort. Each school involved at earlier festivals received trophies, ensuring that all participants felt recognized for their contributions, regardless of the weather challenges faced.
Moreover, the GIR Plus program serves as a vital platform for character development, intertwining sportsmanship with life skills. Coaches instill core values such as discipline, respect, integrity, passion, and solidarity (collectively known as DRIPS) into their training, showcasing how rugby can serve as a tool for teaching essential ethical principles to young athletes.
Such initiatives ideally pave the way for well-rounded individuals, pushing towards a future where sports foster mutual respect and a deeper understanding of community values. Rabeni’s acknowledgment of support from families alongside the success of the event paints a hopeful picture for the ongoing development of youth through sports, underlining the importance of community involvement in nurturing the next generation of athletes.