The recently completed Fijian Cup Championship is a sports festival that blends top-quality competition with authentic Fijian travel experiences.
Established by tourism experience and travel company TourismHQ, this year’s championship involved multiple sporting codes played over three weekends from 15th to 30th November in Sigatoka.
TourismHQ founder Richard Henry said after trying various locations around Fiji, the championship has “really found our home here in Lawaqa. We’re incredibly lucky for our community here who are just getting behind us in everything. We had over 600 competitors flying in to compete this year and most of them brought their families and supporters with them. This is a beautiful experience and we’re very blessed to be here”.
Touch Rugby was the first sport to feature in the Fijian Cup before Rugby League 9s was added in 2022. A non-contact form of rugby league 9 called Oztag is also part of the mix. However, the highlight for this year was the inclusion of Rugby 7s, which was spearheaded by former New Zealand All Blacks legendary fullback Malili ‘Mils’ Muliaina.
“It’s absolutely fantastic. It’s amazing to come back here particularly for the 7s and help promote it. It’s great to see teams from New Zealand come over here. Fiji is known for being a popular tourist attraction but 7s rugby is also a big part here. So to be able to give back to the younger generations is amazing”, said Muliaina.
Muliaina also emphasised how “Fiji is the best place for rugby 7s” and encouraged more international teams to come and test themselves in Fiji.
Apart from a chance to win the coveted Fijian Cup and $50,000 in prizes for each sporting code, the tournament also organized off the field mid-week activities for everyone to enjoy. As described by tournament MC, Pat Spellman, “Not only are we coming over to Fiji to indulge in sports, this is also a chance for us to engage with local schools, villages and communities. We bring in the experts, knowledge, experience and infrastructure from New Zealand and Australia to help with governance, marketing and event management so we can teach and learn from each other. So equally, we go home with our cups or ‘kava’ bowls full.”
The tournament was broadcast in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and other regional countries through Pasifika TV.
“We want to start lifting this up. I think everyone knows the Wellington Sevens of old. We provided free sunglasses, bouncing castles for the kids and international DJ’s for the crowd. Over the next two to three years we’ll really see the atmosphere become better. So,exciting times ahead”, said Henry.
Sports tourism
Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill recognises the economic contributions of the Fijian Cup.
“What we’ve seen are somewhere in the vicinity of around 250 to 300 visitors per event each year and the aim is to increase that level of participation. The resulting expenditure is between $550,000 to $700,000 and that means it’s about $2.5 million in revenue generated from the whole festival. We also know that 90% of the flights are booked with Fiji Airways, which is really great as well.”
Hill adds: “I actually went and saw this live last year in person, and it was a brilliant event. A lot of teams participated, from many different countries, and the surrounding area and resorts did really well from it. I personally was involved with a team that my brother-in-law brought over from Amsterdam and Australia – so people travel far for this tournament.”
The Shangri-La Yanuca Island was the exclusive accommodation for the Fijian Cup attendees again this year.
Director of Sales Marsha Eyre says the hotel was pleased to have the Fijian Cup visitors as guests. “It was an opportunity to host not only the teams, but their supporters and families. Holding this event three years in a row has benefited the resort as the event is held during the low season and as such brings much needed occupancy for a large resort such as Shangri-La.
Eyre added, “The event also supports grass roots Fiji with several initiatives to foster local development, community engagement as well as giving SMEs and local vendors the opportunity to showcase their products during the event.”
Local Nadroga rugby supporter Asinate Korovulavula says the Fijian Cup is a chance for local men and women to showcase their talent.
“It has also brought us together as a province to keep our young people occupied on good things, such as competing in sports rather than letting them indulge in drugs and other bad behavior. I’m very thankful for this tournament.”
