Rugby a tool for change

Former All Blacks rep Rocky Khan during an interview with Radio Pasifik today. Picture: WANSOLWARA STAFF

By MARCUS FRASER

There is huge potential to develop women’s rugby in Fiji. And with professional contracts now being offered to women ruggers in New Zealand, the drive to promote rugby in other Pacific Island countries can be seen as a step in the right direction.

Speaking to Wansolwara Online, former New Zealand rugby 7s fly-half Rocky Khan, who is the first Fijian of Indian ancestry and first Rotuman to represent New Zealand in sevens, said women’s rugby was making progressive strides the world over and this was evident in the increasing number of players in the women’s grade.

Khan was a special guest during the Rugby for Change – Celebrating Diversity with Serevi seminar at USP’s Oceania Centre in Suva yesterday. The seminar was organised by the Faculty of Arts, Law and Education’s (FALE) School of Social Sciences (SOSS) in partnership with the Fiji Association of the Deaf and the New Zealand High Commission.

“The Rugby for Change seminar was a great success and has huge potential behind it. The whole event has been groundbreaking, just the experience of seeing people breaking boundaries is amazing. It’s awesome to part of this,” Khan said after an exclusive interview with Radio Pasifik Blud Fire hosts Allan Stevens and Christine Maharaj today.

“The goals behind the Rugby for Change event are genuine and pure and it was inspiring to see the athletes involved in rugby, especially the Fijiana sevens team as well as Fijian girls of Indian descent.”

Khan said the bronze medal win by the Fiji Barbarians deaf rugby team at the Deaf Rugby World Cup in Australia was inspirational.

The Rugby for Change seminar was focused on issues surrounding gender equality, ethnic inclusion and disability.

* Marcus Fraser is a second-year journalism and tourism student at The University of the South Pacific in Suva.

Former New Zealand rugby 7s player Rocky Khan during an interview with Radio Pasifik manager Allan Stevens and co-host Christine Maharaj on the Blud Fire at The University of the South Pacific in Suva this morning. Picture: ELIKI DRUGUNALEVU