Rugby union is the most popular sport in Fiji (especially of the sevens variety); however, netball, rugby league and association football are also widely played. Various forms of traditional boat racing and wrestling are also popular.
Contents
- Rugby union
- Rugby league
- Outrigger paddling
- Other sports
- Notable sportspeople
- Traditional sports
- References
Sports culture is unique as different racial mixes 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 national rugby union team has competed at five Rugby World Cup competitions, the first being in 1987. Their best results were at the 1987 and 2007 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 the Pacific Islanders rugby union team. At the club level there are the Colonial Cup and Pacific Rugby Cup. Everyone loves to play and support others playing as well.
Rugby league
Rugby league is a popular team sport played in Fiji. The Fijian rugby league competition consists of nine teams.
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 Rugby League World Cup.
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.
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. 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. There are sports such as golf, which has been made famous by Fijian golfer Vijay Singh, cricket and surfing, which was brought to prominence by Fijian former world champion Tony Philp. Sailing in varying forms, various adventure sports, athletics, various Asian martial arts, and boxing. Whilst a handful of players of Fijian heritage currently play in the Australian Football League to date there is still no AFL competition in the country.
Notable sportspeople
Traditional sports
Sports 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 severally 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.