AUSTRALIA DAY | Stronger communities through sports

Across Fiji, sport is doing more than building skills on the field, it is strengthening communities, promoting equality and creating safe spaces for children and families to thrive. Through the Australian Government’s Team Up program, Australia and Fiji are working together in the spirit of vuvale, to create opportunities for children and young people both on and off the field.

Collaboration sits at the heart of Team Up in Fiji with programs designed and delivered alongside national sporting bodies, government ministries and community organisations, with a shared commitment to inclusion, respect, gender equality and safeguarding. By working together, partners are helping ensure sport is accessible, safe and welcoming for all.

Real results

Australia’s investment through Team Up is delivering clear and lasting impact across the country. Between 2021 and 2025;

Over 124,700 primaryaged children have participated;
46 per cent are girls;
More than 3,700 people with disabilities have taken part; and
2807 teachers, coaches and community leaders trained to deliver safe, inclusive sport.

These outcomes reflect Australia’s commitment to supporting Fiji’s priorities by strengthening systems, leadership and opportunities through sport.

Locally led partnerships

Team Up in Fiji brings together six sport–for–development programs delivered through 19 local, regional and international partners, including national sporting organisations and community organisations. Programs are designed and delivered collaboratively, ensuring sport is accessible, welcoming and safe for everyone.

The six Team Up programs in Fiji are delivered through 19 partner organisations;

Basketball for Good – Basketball Fiji and FIBA Oceania;
Cricket for Good – Cricket Fiji, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Cricket Australia;
Get into Rugby PLUS – Fiji Rugby, Oceania Rugby, UN Women, ChildFund, Rugby Australia;
Just Play – Fiji Football Association, Oceania Football Confederation, Football Australia;
League for Life – Fiji National Rugby League, NRL in Fiji, Australian Rugby League Commission; and
Smash Down Barriers – Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) and International Table Tennis Federation Oceani.

Meaningful change

Recent program highlights demonstrate how sport can transform lives;

Basketball for Good delivered10-week Hoops for Equality pilot to 267 participants, using basketball to promote gender equality through sport;
Cricket for Good now in its fifth season, reached a total of 33,120 primary aged students (51 per cent girls) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts’ (MEHA) Seeds for Success program;
Get into Rugby PLUS more than doubled participation of persons with disability in just six months, increasing from one per cent in 2024 to 6.4 per cent. The program also worked with MEHA and Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection (MWCSP) to support the adoption of a child safeguarding Disclosure Form, now used by schools across Fiji;
Just Play achieved an impressive 78 per cent retention rate of women coaches, across all of its programs, helping strengthen women’s leadership in sport;
League for Life delivered 16 programs to 1788 participants (48 per cent women), across four schools, including a special needs school; and
Smash Down Barriers joined the Athletes and Communities Engagement (ACE) program, promoting Olympic values and its core message of inclusivity, in partnership with Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC).

Building a shared future through sport

Together, these programs show how Australia and Fiji are working side by side in the true spirit of vuvale, using sport to change lives and strengthen communities. By empowering young people, promoting equality and inclusion, and creating safe, accessible opportunities for all, sport helps build communities that are fairer, stronger and more connected.