Women’s Rugby in the Pacific: Challenges? Did You Say Challenges?

Pasifika women just want to play the game they love but they're fighting for even fewer resources than their male counterparts. They're also battling to change traditional mindsets about women in rugby.

"I mean, we were already fighting for crumbs, we were fighting for the crumbs off the crumbs."

Samoan women's team manager, Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich, says resources are a constant issue:

It doesn't help that four years ago Tonga's Ministry of Education told girls they shouldn't be playing rugby because it went against their dignity and Tongan culture and traditions.

Sports Journalist, Talei Anderson tells us that while this decree was quickly overturned in the face of widespread public condemnation, it still leaves the question: what role do culture and traditions have when Pacific women play the game?

But Vela Naucukidi, Women's Development Officer for Fiji's Rugby Union, says change is coming slowly and some success has already arrived. She recalls the Fijiana's bronze medal winning effort at the 2021 Olympics:

"I broke down after the match when we were back at the village when my messenger was flooded with videos of males cheering for us. That was the turning point... To me that was the biggest achievement because it took me about 20 years to change mindsets."

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details