“THIS documentary is not just a film, it is a movement,” Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said at the premiere of Breaking Ground: The Rise of Women’s Rugby in Fiji at Damodar Cinemas last night.
The feature documentary, launched on the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, celebrates the extraordinary rise of women’s rugby in Fiji and the players who have transformed the sport.
Kiran told guests that the film captures “the courage, resilience and determination of Fijian women who stepped onto the field and challenged outdated norms.”
She said the journey of the Fijiana team mirrors Fiji’s own story of perseverance and transformation.
The Minister highlighted the sport’s growing global value, noting World Rugby findings that women’s rugby contributes US$2 billion to society and represents the sport’s “single biggest opportunity for growth.”
Increasing women’s participation, she added, could add US$2.8 billion more.
Fiji’s athletes, she said, have already shown what is possible.
The Fijiana 7s’ historic Olympic bronze in 2021 and Commonwealth silver in 2022 pushed women’s rugby into the national spotlight. The Fijiana 15s delivered Fiji’s first Rugby World Cup win in 2022 and followed it with a 2025 World Cup victory over Wales. The Fijiana Drua are also back-to-back Super W champions.
“These wins fuelled participation across the country,” Kiran said. Fiji now counts nearly 10,000 registered female players across primary, secondary, club and provincial competitions.
But she cautioned that players continue to face cultural resistance, limited pathways, low media coverage and high drop-off rates.
“Every Fijiana victory is won not only on the field, but against social and structural barriers,” she said.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Peter Roberts, praised the shift happening in sport. He said rugby was once a space that reinforced traditional gender roles, but today it is driving change. “It is an incredible turnaround,” he said, acknowledging the courage of players and coaches who shared their stories.
The premiere also recognised organisations supporting women’s rugby, including UN Women, Oceania Rugby, the EU, Rugby Australia and Pacific Aus Sports.
Roberts also welcomed Fiji Rugby Union’s new safeguarding policy, calling it essential for “a safe and inclusive environment for all athletes.”
Kiran said programmes like Get into Rugby PLUS are already shaping new attitudes among young people. “When women rise, nations rise,” she told the audience.
The evening closed with a call for continued support, celebration and protection of women in sport, and a reminder that Fijian women are not only changing rugby but changing Fiji.