Oceania Rugby president Richard Sapias says a pre-AGM workshop hosted this week in Nadi provided valuable insight into global rugby development and offered fresh ideas to help Pacific unions expand the game at grassroots and community levels.
Held a day before the Oceania Rugby Annual General Meeting at Novotel, Nadi, the two-day workshop was led by Jason Lewis of World Rugby and focused on global trends, regional progress, and new growth opportunities for member unions.
“It was a growth conference a chance to really reflect on where the sport is going globally and what’s working around the world, including here in the Pacific,” Sapias said.
The workshop covered several pillars of rugby development, including training and education, player pathways, and the introduction of new formats aimed at increasing participation.
“One key focus was on ‘T1 Rugby’, which is essentially a version of tag rugby.
“It’s a new form that allows us to include parts of the community that may not always be involved in the traditional formats,” Sapias explained.
The workshop was part of World Rugby’s “Rugby RISE” initiative, which is designed to support the sustainable growth of the sport across all regions by strengthening governance, competition structures, and inclusion efforts.
“It gave our member unions the chance to take a closer look at their programmes, compare notes, and see where they can innovate especially in getting more women, youth, and community groups engaged in the sport,” he added.
The session also reinforced the importance of regional collaboration and closer ties with World Rugby, as Pacific unions continue to navigate both opportunities and challenges in player retention, development funding, and local competition structures.
The workshop sets the tone for renewed efforts within Oceania Rugby to broaden the sport’s reach and impact, while keeping its cultural and community roots strong.
