FWCC Sponsors the Award Winning Raka 7s

Fiji’s longest serving Women’s Rights organisation, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has signed a historic sponsorship deal to support the Raka 7’s.

The award winning event will widen its focus to promote Women and Girls in rugby.

This is a timely shift for a tournament that’s commitment to creating a level playing field for both women and men in a sport that has traditionally been a male dominated arena.

“Its not enough to have gender equality but to have gender equity – What steps are in place to ensure women’s full inclusion without discrimination and double standards, equal treatment, equal resources and equal media coverage.”, said Ms Shamima Ali, Co-ordinator, FWCC.

Organisers have welcomed the support of Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre support for local rugby tournament demonstrating commitment towards creating equal opportunities for all gender.

The FWCC sponsorship association with Raka 7’s is aimed at amplifying their advocacy message to encourage zero tolerance to violence environment and recognition of the barriers that prevent female participation in rugby and other sports. This event empowers these women to compete on a level playing field with men built on mutual respect for their shared passion and commitment to rugby.

Fiji’s highest qualified female coach with Level 3 Accreditation, Elenoa Kunatuba has commended event organisers for including this agenda as part of the event.

“The Raka 7’s tournament unites both women and men in one venue. If we play the sport we love and receive this education at the same time, it’s a bonus especially for our women who continue to struggle with participation.” Kunatuba says that while the situation has improved, some women continue their battle against discrimination in the sport ranging from their release from home to participate or within their community failing to accept that women can also play rugby and be good at it.

The Raka 7s is the most highly rewarding tournament in the FRU annual calendar of events and organisers are committed to ensuring that teams benefit from a good performance while opening minds to critical social agendas.

Following its inaugural event where the theme of the event focused on zero plastics, the Raka 7’s tournament won international acclaim from the Green Sports Alliance recognising its efforts. Organisers are once again calling on supporters and players to bind together this November for what promises to be a great rugby carnival.