Ba Women’s Rugby: Growing Strength On and Off the Field

For the Ba Women’s Rugby Association, the rugby field is more than just a place of competition—it is a space of empowerment, resilience, and belonging. But beyond the tackles and scrums, the team is cultivating something just as powerful: a future built on economic independence, sustainability, and sisterhood.

With support from Women’s Fund Fiji, the association is proving that being an athlete extends far beyond the game. Under the Fund’s Climate Justice and Humanitarian Action initiative, the team has embraced a new challenge—transforming idle land into a thriving farm. More than just a source of income, this initiative offers a safe haven for players, creating opportunities that will sustain them long after their rugby careers.

Association executive Malakai Vuninavanua generously provided 15 acres of unused land in Moto, Ba, for the team to cultivate. More than just an economic venture, the farm is a sanctuary for players facing personal hardships. For some, it is not just a place of work—it is home.

Malakai sees this initiative as an investment in the players’ futures. “I’m preparing the girls for life after rugby. They are being taught agricultural skills and knowledge here,” he said.

Through this project, the women are gaining practical experience in farming, ensuring they have the means to support themselves long after their playing days are over.

Torika Sabina, 25, knows this all too well. After losing both her parents, she left her village in Navatusila, Navosa, in search of a new beginning. Rugby brought her to Ba, but family rejection left her without a place to stay. Determined to forge her own path, she turned to the farm.

“When I first came here, I had nothing but a tent to sleep in. But I was free, and I knew that if I worked hard, I could build something for myself,” she shared.

Through sheer perseverance, Torika and her teammates have transformed the land, planting vegetables and crops to generate income. The earnings are reinvested into constructing permanent structures, providing shelter for those in need. When Women’s Fund Fiji visited the farm, construction was well underway—a roof completed, walls partially built, and even a flush toilet and bathroom installed, marking a significant step toward improved living conditions.

Sustainability is at the heart of their efforts. Given Ba’s drought-prone climate, the team has planted fruit trees to ensure long-term food security. Transporting their produce to the market remains a challenge, with the farm located far from town. Yet, determined to sustain themselves, the women carry sacks of crops onto public buses, selling their harvest at the Ba Municipal Market.

Fridays bring the team together at the farm, where they spend the night before dedicating Saturday mornings to maintaining the land. Whether planting, weeding, or harvesting, they work side by side, supporting one another beyond the rugby field.

For Ilisapeci Viti, a single mother now employed at a medical center in Lautoka, the farm is more than just a workplace—it is a source of comfort and strength.

“This place is more than just a farm—it’s where I can forget my worries, share laughs, and find strength with my teammates,” she said.

Ba Women’s Rugby is proving that strength goes beyond physical endurance. Through teamwork, perseverance, and an unbreakable bond, they are building a future where women stand strong—both on the field and in life. With their hands in the soil and their hearts set on a brighter tomorrow, they are not just growing crops; they are growing hope.

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