Sport in Fiji

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Rugby union is the most popular sport in Fiji (especially of the sevens variety); however, rugby league, netball, and association football are also widely played. Various forms of traditional boat racing and wrestling are also popular.

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Sports culture is unique as different racial fixes and cultures come together in a common interest.

The Fiji Sports Council is the custodian of all Fiji Government-owned sporting facilities around the country. Fiji Sports Council is tasked to manage, maintain and upkeep all facilities under its area of responsibilities. The Fiji Sports Council is self funding and does not receive government funding for its operational expenses. It is also one of the leading providers of quality sports and recreational facilities and programs at national, regional and international levels. It was established in 1978 under the Fiji Sports Council Act and a year later in 1979 it hosted the first South Pacific Games. Fiji Sports Council is not affiliated to FASANOC, who looks after national sporting organisations. Fiji Sports Council is a separate entity. It manages the facilities. It was established under an Act of Parliament so has its own rules. The organisation is headed by its chief executive officer Litiana Loabuka, who is governed by a board of directors chaired by Businessman Peter Mazey.

Rugby union

The Fiji sevens team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Fiji vs Wales CG Melbourne 2006.jpg
The Fiji sevens team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The Fiji national rugby union team has competed at five Rugby World Cup competitions, the first being in 1987. Their best results were at the 1987, 2007 and 2023 World Cups where they reached the quarter-finals. Fiji also competes in the Pacific Tri-Nations and the Pacific Nations Cup. The Fiji national rugby sevens team is one of the most successful rugby sevens teams in the world. They have won 2 Sevens World Cup titles, the 2005/06 IRB Sevens Series and the 2014/2015 HSBC Sevens World Series. They have also won a number of Hong Kong Sevens titles which is considered the most prestigious annual international Sevens tournament. In the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, the Fijian rugby sevens team won the country's first gold medal, defeating Great Britain 43-7

The sport is governed by the Fiji Rugby Union which is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, and contributes to Rocky Johnson. At the club level there are the Colonial Cup and Pacific Rugby Cup.

Rugby league

Rugby league is a popular team sport played in Fiji. The Fijian rugby league competition consists of nine teams. Members of the team are selected from a domestic Fijian competition, as well as from competitions held in New Zealand and Australia. For the 2000, 2008 and 2013 World Cups, the Bati were captained by Lote Tuqiri, Wes Naiqama and the legendary Petero Civoniceva respectively. Fiji have also produced stars like Akuila Uate, Jarryd Hayne, Kevin Naiqama, Semi Tadulala, Marika Koroibete, Apisai Koroisau, Sisa Waqa and the Sims brothers Ashton Sims, Tariq Sims and Korbin Sims.

Fiji has produced some of the finest rugby league players in the world. Notable examples include Lote Tuqiri and Petero Civoniceva, both of whom have played for Australia in international test matches, Queensland in the State of Origin series and the Brisbane Broncos in Australian club grand final victories.

The Fiji national rugby league team, known as Fiji Bati, has competed in the Rugby League World Cup on three occasions, with their best result coming when they made the semi-finals of the 2008, 2013 and 2017 World Cups.

Fiji also competes in the Pacific Cup. They finished in third place in the 2009 competition beating Tonga in the third-place playoff after losing to the Cook Islands in the semi-finals.

The Cibi (pronounced Thimbi) war dance was traditionally performed by the Fiji rugby team before each match. It was replaced in 2012 with the new "Bole" (pronounced mBolay) war cry. [1] Tradition holds that the original Cibi was first performed on the rugby field back in 1939 during a tour of New Zealand, when then Fijian captain Ratu Sir George Cakobau felt that his team should have something to match the Haka of the All Blacks. The 'Cibi' had perhaps been used incorrectly though, as the word actually means "a celebration of victory by warriors," whereas 'Bole' is the acceptance of a challenge. The Fiji Bati rugby league team also gather in a huddle and perform the hymn 'Noqu Masu' before each match. [2]

Basketball

Due to the recent success of the country's national teams and the improved accessibility of basketball courts, the sport has received a boost of popularity within the last years. [3]

Fiji will be the host of the 2021 FIBA Melanesia Cup. The top 2 places will qualify for the Basketball Tournament at the 2023 Pacific Games. [4]

Volleyball

The Fiji women's national volleyball team won Gold at the 2018 Oceania Indoor National Team Championships. It was a historic win as Fiji had never won Gold in Indoor Volleyball in the women’s division at any competition. [5]

Outrigger paddling

Outrigger paddling or Va'a has been in Fiji for many years now. It has grown to be a strong and competitive sport. Part of the South Pacific Games, it is integral to the unique identity of the pacific people. Outrigger Fiji is the National Federation overseeing the sport and its regularly run regattas and events. There are a few clubs in and around Fiji. Some of them are Taf'aga, Nadi Bay, Kaiwai, Lami, Vai, Takia and more. Here is a link to one of them Takia Outrigger Canoe Club Fiji

Other sports

Many sports exist in Fiji, and in many ways has its own cultural following. Golf has been made famous by Fijian golfer Vijay Singh, and the Fiji International tournament is part of the European Tour. There are sports such as surfing, which was brought to prominence by Fijian former world champion Tony Philp. Sailing in varying forms, cricket, various adventure sports, athletics, various Asian martial arts, and boxing. A handful of players of Fijian heritage currently play in the Australian Football League, and Australian football is a growing sport.

Notable sportspeople

Traditional sports

Sport in older times had a practical place, apart from recreation, helping train young warriors. One such practice would have the older men bring the male children a severely injured captive of war, allowing the boys to practice their archery skills against this living target. There were other sports that were practiced in older times which are not practiced now. Notable traditional sports used to be played were tiqa, ulutoa, veisaga, and veisolo.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cibi</span> Fijian type of dance

The Cibi is a Fijian meke of Bauan origin and war dance, generally performed before or after a battle. It came to prominence in the rugby field in 1939 when it was performed by the Fiji national rugby union team before the match. It is also known as Teivovo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index of Fiji-related articles</span>

Articles about people, places, things, and concepts related to or originating from Fiji, include:

The Fiji national rugby league team, nicknamed the Bati, has been participating in international rugby league football since 1992. The team is controlled by the governing body for rugby league in Fiji, Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL), which is currently a member of the Asia-Pacific Rugby League Confederation (APRLC). Fiji have thrice reached the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup, in 2008, 2013 and 2017, and are currently ranked 6th in the International Rugby League's World Rankings. They are coached by Fijian Wise Kativerata, and their captain is Kevin Naiqama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nadroga-Navosa Province</span> Province of Fiji

Nadroga-Navosa is one of the fourteen provinces of Fiji and one of eight based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. It is about 2,385 square kilometers and occupies the South-West and Central areas of Viti Levu, Fiji's principal island. The province includes the Mamanuca Archipelago,Malolo Islands, off the west coast of Viti Levu, Vatulele, as well as the remote Conway Reef in the southwest. The population at the 2017 census was 58,931, being the fifth largest province. The main town in Nadroga-Navosa is Sigatoka, with a population of 9622.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wes Naiqama</span> Former Fiji international rugby league footballer and coach

Wes Naiqama is a Fijian Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the London Broncos in the English Championship. He won 14 caps for the Fiji national rugby league team. He primarily played as a centre, fullback and winger, but can also fill in at second-row. He is the older brother of Huddersfield Giants player and fellow Fiji international, Kevin Naiqama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petero Civoniceva</span> Former Australia & Fiji international rugby league footballer

Petero Civoniceva, is a Fijian-Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative prop forward, in 2009 he broke the record for most international matches for Australia of any forward in history. Civoniceva played his club football for the Brisbane Broncos, with whom he won the 1998, 2000 and 2006 NRL Premierships, as well as for the Penrith Panthers, whom he captained. Late in his career whilst playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup, Civoniceva captained the Fiji national team in their 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign. The Petero Civoniceva Medal is awarded to the Australian Fijian rugby league footballer of the year, while the Civoniceva Medal is awarded to the Queensland Cup player voted as the best and fairest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lote Tuqiri</span> Former Australia (dual-code) & Fiji international rugby league footballer

Lote Daulako Tuqiri is a former professional dual-code rugby footballer who primarily played as a winger across both codes. He represented Australia in both rugby league and rugby union, and Fiji in rugby league. Tuqiri first rose to prominence as a professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons, as well as the Fiji and Australia national sides. He was therefore a high-profile signing for rugby union in 2002, winning 67 caps for Australia and being a part of their 2003 and 2007 World Cup squads. He played rugby union for the Waratahs in the Super 14 and Leicester Tigers in England in season 2009–10. Tuqiri's contract with the Australian Rugby Union was terminated on 1 July 2009. No immediate reason was given, and Tuqiri returned to rugby league in 2010, playing for the Wests Tigers of the NRL. In September 2013, he signed a short-term contract with Irish rugby union giants, Leinster to play in the Pro12 in a three-month deal. Just 6 weeks out from the 2014 NRL season, Tuqiri signed with his third NRL club, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, on a one-year deal.

Cyril Connell was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. An Australian international and Queensland Maroons representative centre/five-eighth, he played his club football in Toowoomba and Rockhampton. At the time of his death, he had been a recruitment scout for the Brisbane Broncos club of the NRL for several years. He was also the son of former rugby league footballer and administrator Cyril Connell Sr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Groom</span> Fiji international rugby league footballer

Aaron Groom is a Fijian former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Asquith Magpies in the Ron Massey Cup. Groom previously played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League and Sheffield Eagles in the 2009 Challenge Cup. He primarily played as a halfback, but can also fill in at hooker.

Tabua Cakacaka is a Fijian former professional rugby league footballer. His position is prop/second row. He left Fiji at the age of 17 years when he was scouted by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Since then he has held professional contracts in England, Australia and France.

Alipate Tani Noilea is a Fijian rugby league and rugby union footballer. He is a rugby league international and represented Fiji at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Naiqama</span> Fiji international rugby league footballer

Kevin Naiqama is a Fiji international rugby league footballer who usually plays as a centre or winger for the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League and as a fullback or five-eighth for Fiji at the International level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaliova Nauqe Tani</span> Fijian rugby league footballer (born 1985)

Kaliova Nauqe Tani is a Fijian rugby league footballer who represented Fiji in the 2008 World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fijian Australians</span> Ethnic group

Fijian Australians refers to Australian citizens or residents of Australia who are of ethnic iTaukei or Indian descent. Most Fijians Australians live in New South Wales (Sydney), Queensland (Brisbane) and Victoria (Melbourne).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marika Koroibete</span> Australia international rugby union & Fiji international rugby league footballer

Marika Koroibete is a dual-code international rugby league and rugby union footballer. He plays for the Australia national rugby union team, and plays as a winger for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eloni Vunakece</span> Former Fiji international rugby league footballer

Eloni Vunakece is a former Fiji international rugby league footballer who played as a prop for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. He also played for Toulouse Olympique in the French Elite One Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taqele Naiyaravoro</span> Australia & Fiji international dual-code rugby player

Taqele Naiyaravoro is an Australian professional rugby union and rugby league footballer. His regular playing position is the wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amenoni Nasilasila</span> Fijian rugby union footballer (born 1992)

Amenoni Nasilasila is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He had played for the Fiji sevens team. Nasilasila made his debut for Fiji 7s at the 2014 Dubai Sevens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaiviti Silktails</span> Fijian semi-pro rugby league club, competing in Australia

The Kaiviti Silktails are a semi-professional rugby league football club from Fiji competing in the NSWRL's Jersey Flegg Cup.

References

  1. ↑ Rudgard, Olivia; Rothwell, James (18 September 2015). "Never mind the haka – here's the Bole". The Telegraph. elegraph Media Group Limited. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Not Found | Fox Sports Videos".
  3. ↑ Basketball Fiji bringing the sport to all, FIBA.com, 13 May 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  4. ↑ Michael Pavitt (31 August 2020). "Fiji to host 2021 Melanesia Cup with Pacific Games berths on offer". Inside the Games . Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  5. ↑ Shreya Kumar (20 March 2021). "Let's Go Local: The Sand Dunes And Café Planet For Drau". Fiji Sun . Retrieved 27 September 2021.
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