The welfare of youths in the country is one of Governments priority and one of its main focus is to see young Fijians treated fairly as part of its commitment to an inclusive policy for all Fijians regardless of ethnicity, social background, and status in the community, culture or religious beliefs.

To address this with young Fijians, government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports has put in place opportunities for our youths to be empowered and self-sustainable through the Ministry’s Mobile and Specific Skills, empowerment and capacity building training programmes.

These programmes in the youth and Sports ministry fill a vital gap and addresses youths that have not made it in the formal education sector. To complement this the Ministry of Youth and Sports focuses on the facilitation of youth and sports development through the establishment of a conducive policy environment that provides strategic support systems, initiatives for personal development, character building, sports policy implementation and community-based youth-led programs.

Sports Services

• Develop and review policies to promote and develop sport.
• Facilitate the development and maintenance of rural sports facilities.
• Support active participation by all citizens in recreation and leisure activities to encourage a healthy and life-long lifestyle.
• Support stakeholders in delivering sports development youth programmes.
• Support the Fiji National Sports Commission (programmes), Fiji Sports Council (facilities), Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, Fiji Paralympic Committee and the Boxing Commission of Fiji.

What is the FNSC’s role in Sports?

The FNSC is a statutory arm of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Established through the Fiji National Sports Commission Decree 2013, the Sports Commission aims to enrich the lives and health of all Fijians through physical activity and sports at all levels as outlined in the Commissions Vision.

The following are the Sports Commission’s Corporate Objectives as decreed and approved by the Commission Board:

1. Guide and enhance the delivery of sports development programmes in Fiji through a coordinated approach in partnership with Government, statutory bodies, and the community.

2. Institute a clear and manageable framework to effectively deliver sports programmes in Fiji.

3. Provide coordination and direction, and commit to the development of sports in Fiji.

4. Establish high standards of excellence in all aspects of sports delivery.

5. Improve the health of the nation through organised physical activities at all levels.

6. Support and encourage performance excellence in athletes and coaches by developing sports science and encouraging research in high-performance athletes.

7. Provide support and financial assistance to national federations in the development of their sport and their high-performance athletes.

8. Recruit the best and the most qualified people and provide them with the appropriate training, environment, and support to enable them, as a team, to achieve the Fiji National Sports Commission’s corporate objectives. 

The FNSC deliver a number of sports programmes at the community level, in terms of participation and growth of sports and also programmes with a focus on capacity building with teachers and community members in areas of coaching, strength and conditioning, administration of sports clubs and teams and also managing events and tournaments.

The FNSC also work closely with Fiji’s National Sports Organisations (NSO) and are responsible for overseeing grant funding allocations previously managed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and assist these sports in the application process.

Check out the FNSC website using the button below and explore their Sports Development programmes, Grant funding structures and take a look at their media showcasing their team in action.

The Fiji Sports Council was established in 1978 to foster and promote the development of sport and associated recreational activities in Fiji. It is the mission of the Fiji Sports Council to provide safe and reliable sports facilities.

The Fiji Sports Council Act stipulates that the functions of the Council shall be:

– To foster and promote the development of amateur sport and recreation in Fiji.

– To foster support and undertake the provision of facilities for sport and recreation.

– To promote the utilisation of sporting and recreational facilities in Fiji.

– To investigate developments in sport and recreation and disseminate knowledge and information about such developments.

– To advise the Minister on any matters relating to sport and recreation.

The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) is one of five Continental Olympic bodies that look after the interests of 17 member nations from the Pacific Region including Australia, New Zealand, and also Fiji.

One of ONOC’s most impactful Initiatives, this is a partnership between the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) and the Organisations of Sport Federations in Oceania (OSFO). OSEP is a sports education training course provider, available for ONOC member countries sports organisations and training providers.

  The program currently offers sports administration and coaching training & development, and sports development and management materials. It is expected to expand to other sport education areas like sports science and medicine, community social sports coaching, team manager and sport management and governance. This has been a ‘game-changer’ for the development of National Sporting Organisations and has been a major contributor in growing the capacity of members of the sporting fraternity in Fiji; accelerating sports development in many areas and allowing sports to step up to the next level in their governance and performance in various sports competitions and tournaments.

The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) were founded in 1949 and achieved International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition in 1955. It is also one of the key stakeholders in sport in Fiji including the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Fiji Sports Council and the Fiji National Sports Commission.

Fiji first competed in the Olympic Games at the London 1938 Empire Commonwealth Games. FASANOC has 39 affiliated national federations. As a member of the South Pacific Games Council, FASANOC has hosted the South Pacific Games in 1963, 1979 and 2003.

Their Role in Fijian Sport

FASANOC is the umbrella body for sports in Fiji. All of the 39 national sports federations (mix of amateur and professional) are affiliated. FASANOC represents the interests of sports in Fiji and is responsible for coordinating and managing Fiji teams when competing overseas in multi-sport games such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and South Pacific Games.

Apart from being responsible for entering Fiji representatives in the Olympic Games, FASANOC is the organization responsible for the coordination and management of Fiji Teams to the Pacific Mini Games, Pacific Games and the Commonwealth Games. It also has a major role to play in directing technical assistance funding to its affiliates in the areas of coaching, athlete development, sports medicine and sports administration.

In 2009, FASANOC celebrates 60 years of existence as a National Sports Association and in 2005 proudly reach a milestone in reaching its 50 year anniversary as a member of the Olympic Family.

The Suva Games

Alongside their management and support of Elite athletes, Olympic and Paralympic sports, the Suva games is another event that FASANOC promotes and facilitate annually, with the competitors come together in their provincial teams to challenge for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. This is a great platform for Talent Identification and is one of only very few competitive opportunities for athletes to compete in and test their abilities after the famous High School Competition; the Coca Cola Games.

It has been an event that has always been looked forward to with great excitement and electrifying atmosphere and provides a fantastic opportunity for athletes to test themselves in their chosen events.

‘Understanding who you will be assisting; their setup, strengths and challenges’

Sports organisations in developed countries, those in third world countries often lack key infrastructure for sports development from the grassroots to elite level. Much can be said about the lack of financial investment in infrastructure by respective governments. In Oceania, particularly in the Pacific region, a majority of sporting organizations (NOCs and NGBs) are faced with this reality. The report on Pacific Sporting Needs Assessment found that Pacific Island Countries continue to face development problems, many of which are related to capacity constraints (Australian Sports Commission – Pacific Sporting Needs Assessment, 2004).

The report (2004, p4) identified priority areas for development for each country demonstrating a degree of commonality between the countries. The main sport development deficiencies that emerged from the needs assessment were:

1. National Sports Policies – More specific goals and strategies and then putting them into action.

2. Sport Education programs, including coach education, sports administration and sport science/sports medicine. Physical education and school sports programs. Volunteer recruitment, development and retention. Women in sports initiatives. 

3. Sport for people with a disability.

4. Sports facilities – lacking development and unable to meet competition standards.

What are some of the challenges NSO’s face in their development?

National Sporting Organisations, and in fact all sports organisations are constantly faced with the need to make decisions that will have an effect on their development.  When choosing your action project, and throughout your internship, you will no doubt see a wide range of the following key decisions in your action projects;

“What competition to attend or establish? Which sources of funding to pursue? What kind of programs and planning to implement? What partnerships can we seek out? How can we grow participation and retain athletes/members”

All too often decisions are made to apply for funding or to take part in competitions simply because they are there. Programs and funding support are provided to National Federations under the umbrella of the Olympic Movement from Olympic Solidarity, Government and their respective International Federations. Competition programs are available and assistance provided to attend International championships and multi-sport games.

The Heart of Fiji’s National Sports Organisations

One analysis made in the paper’s findings, Human Resources (pg 39-40) identified that under the general development benchmark for NSO’s, it was found that there was a Human Resource deficit in most of the National sporting organisations.

This was and is still a concern today, as NSO’s need human resources to enable its development process with both permanent and voluntary paid staff and without this NSO’s in Fiji will remain stagnant and below benchmark until there is change. Biukoto suggested a great need for the development and building of a base of Volunteers in ratio to professional staff employed at each of Fiji’s NSO’s.

With the lack of personnel to organize and manage the NSO’s, a greater concern was the lack of coaching staff and technical officials available. Governing bodies such as the FASANOC and the Fiji Sports Commission, in which these NSO’s are affiliated to, re-evaluate and ensure that people holding the positions within offices and administration were empowered to continue to drive their sport forward, but also held accountable in their roles and responsibilities in their sport.

This is still a major barrier today for NSO’s in Fiji, and although it is not true for all affiliated sports, middle to lower level sports are built predominantly on passionate, unpaid and often under sourced volunteers who fight to drive their sport forward whilst also working in a full-time career.

Biukoto’s findings in 2016 and Present Day Sports in Fiji (5.1. Summary of Findings)

• A Lack of monitoring and evaluation of performance and activities, Low levels of communication at all levels of some NSO’s.
• A need for a more strategic, business mindset approach to sports, and move away from a leisurely approach to operations and this approach must be brought to life by the leaders of organisations.
• An essential need for continuous and consistent education and accredited training of NSO human resources so that they are employed, and empowered in order to contribute positively to the sport that they love and have a passion for.

• A need for Government to support the development of higher education in the field of Sport Management and Sport Science through the establishment of Degree courses, Masters and PhD courses in its National development plan

Although these issues and findings were found in 2016, some are still clear to be acting as barriers to the NSO’s in the further development and growth of their sport.

However, it is promising to note that the issues and inconsistencies highlighted have been acted upon and taken seriously by The Government, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Fiji Sports Commission, FASANOC and most importantly the NSO’s individually and as a collective.

Sport in Fiji is definitely heading in the right direction, but there is still work to be done; the development of sport in Fiji will be a continual effort and one that hopefully leads to a place of sporting excellence, and a sporting leader in the Pacific.

When researching and learning about Fijian sport, it will not take long for you to realise that Rugby is a hot topic, and is something that even Sports and Sociology researchers from around the world have extensively studied and written about.

Cattermole (2008) best highlights Rugby’s standing in Fiji in her article ‘We are Fiji’ where she highlights some of the best attempts at sharing just how powerful and important rugby is in the life of every Fijian, here are some extracts that stand out –

“…since the game was brought to the islands by British soldiers in 1884, it’s been the national obsession.” (Bryant, 2007: online)

‘In Fiji rugby is taken very seriously indeed – second only, perhaps, to family. On meeting a Fijian, often the first question asked of any male visitor is, “Which position do you play?” The next will be whether they prefer Sevens to Fifteens “. (Bryant, 2007: online)

Rugby union was introduced in Fiji in the 1880s where the first of many games between British soldiers and members of the Native Constabulary at Ba, took place on the east coast of Viti Levu. The national Sporting body for the Rugby is the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) and the game’s national popularity is indicated by the thirty provincial unions which are represented by it. There are also new player pathways, feeder teams and Fijian Academy’s from early teens, to U20’s, all the way up to the national level (Latui, Drua, Fiji Warriors, Flying Fijians).

 Fiji Rugby has also focused on developing opportunities and pathways for Women to play and excel in the game, and they have gone on to represent Fiji at the last Olympics in Rio (7’s) and the Women’s 15’s team has qualified for the next RWC in 2023.

The Fiji FA is the official governing body of the sport of football in Fiji. It is affiliated with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Federation International de Football Association (FIFA). Fiji FA was founded in 1938 and became a member of FIFA in 1963.

It is affiliated to Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC). Fiji FA has 23 district affiliates in Fiji along with Referees, Coaches, Primary and Secondary schools football. It is estimated that more than 35,000 active players play football in Fiji from various age levels to women’s and veteran’s team in the district or National organized Leagues and competitions with thousands more in social and business house leagues and competitions. Fiji FA organizes and develops programmes to prepare age groups and National teams for men and women to compete in FIFA qualifying Championships within the OFC for Football.

Futsal and Beach soccer competitions as well as regional sporting competitions such as the Pacific Games. The National League Board (NLB), Women’s Football, Futsal/ Beach Soccer Commission are included as part of the larger Fiji FA structure responsible for their specific areas of operation. 

The Fiji FA’s mission is for excellence in all it does to bring glory to the game and all the stakeholders who make up the football family of this country.

Fiji was among the founding members of OFC along with Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The nation of around 800,000 has traditionally been one of Oceania best performers – second only to New Zealand in the FIFA rankings for men. The Fiji Football Association (FFA) nurtures hopes of one day toppling the giants in Oceania and qualifying for a FIFA finals competition.

Football has a huge following in Fiji, particularly in the western areas of Fiji, but also competes with rugby and rugby league. Futsal has also grown in popularity with Fiji becoming the regular host of the OFC Futsal Championship – now an annual competition.

The Fiji national netball team represents Fiji in international netball competition. Fiji has competed at nine World Netball Championships, finishing sixth in their best placing at the 1999 tournament. They have also competed at two Commonwealth Games. They have won gold at every Pacific Games since 1991.

They are also the current Pacific Champions, winning the all Pacific Series since its inception. As of 21 July 2019, the Fijian team are Seventeenth in the INF World Rankings. 

The Fiji National Netball Team are now known as the Fiji Pearls after securing their sponsorship in May 2013 with The Pearl South Pacific Resort. 

Netball is the equivalent of Rugby 7’s for the high majority of women, and it is widely recognised that one of the major barriers for development is funding, as Netball is still not currently an Olympic sport.

Over the next 5 – 20 years, sports impact and role in achieving the goals of the FNDP and the United Nations SDGs will be clear and there for all to review and see. The Power of Partnership is something that will really drive change in Fiji.

National Sporting Organisations are starting to come into this space, and are always looking for ways to innovate and grow their reach as a sport. Whether it is creating a program that can be delivered in schools/communities, finding a social message or issue in Fiji they are passionate about and want to advocate for, or just identifying important partners and how to benefit them; this is a keyspace that NSO’s are interested in entering.

Look at the UN SDGs, and highlight some areas that may be well suited to NSO’s or where you believe sport can be a powerful partner. There are some ideas below: 

Health – Nutrition and Physical Activity & Exercise 

Advocating and sharing information on Nutrition and PA through their sport to grow understanding and capacity for people to independently train and fuel their bodies better.  

Social cohesion and Nation Building 

Developing more cohesive communities, and relationships between people of different races, religions, genders etc.

Education 

How can NSO’s interact effectively and purposefully with the Ministry Of Education, and Higher Education Institutes?

Physical Education – Developing a curriculum and training teachers

There is strong support from participating Fijian teachers, Sports organisations, Academics and Educators (OSEP) for education/course options for sport and physical education at the USP.  

Physical education in the curriculum for primary, secondary, and specialised schools is currently under review until, and changes are proposed to be shared and applied for 2022 as the Ministry for Education, Heritage and the arts highlights this as one of the ways of achieving the goals of the FNDP.