Suva, Fiji — 25 November 2025 — More than 200 guests gathered at Damodar Cinemas in Suva last night for the premiere of Breaking Ground – The Rise of Women’s Rugby in Fiji, a powerful documentary co-convened by Oceania Rugby and UN Women. Held on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and marking the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the event highlighted the transformative role women’s rugby continues to play in shifting social norms, strengthening communities, and advancing gender equality across Fiji.
The evening opened with a vibrant VIP white-carpet cocktail reception, drawing an impressive cross-section of leaders from government, sport, diplomatic missions, development agencies, civil society, and the wider community. Among the distinguished attendees were the Honourable Sashi Kiran, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection; His Excellency Peter Roberts, Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji; and Deputy Head Nereo Peñalver-García of the European Union Delegation to the Pacific. Senior representatives from UN Women, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, Oceania Rugby, Fiji Rugby Union, the Australian Government, and Team Up joined Fijiana players and coaches, rugby legend Waisale Serevi, GIR Plus advocates, community leaders, and students from local schools.
Guests made their way into the VMAX theatre for the formal programme, which began with MC Lailanie Burnes. She welcomed Minister Kiran, whose opening address underscored the urgency of eliminating violence against women and girls and the importance of supporting safe and equal pathways for women in sport. Key remarks from High Commissioner Roberts and the European Union Delegation’s Deputy Head Peñalver-García reinforced the shared commitment of partners to strengthening community resilience and empowering women and girls through meaningful investment in both sport and social development.
A powerful panel discussion moderated by Alison Davidian, UN Women Representative for the Fiji Multi-Country Office, brought the themes of the documentary into sharp focus. Panellists included Ms Shamima Ali, Coordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre; Rusila Nagasau, Fijiana star and Olympic bronze medallist; and Tihrani Uluinakauvadra, Oceania Rugby’s Participation and Pathways Manager. Each spoke passionately about the influence of rugby in shaping leadership, confidence, and equality, as well as the ongoing need to create environments free from violence and discrimination. They highlighted the impact of programs such as Get Into Rugby Plus (GIR Plus), which embeds values like respect, inclusion, and equality to help prevent violence against women and girls and empower young people across Fiji.
The documentary screening itself was received with deep emotion and enthusiastic applause. Breaking Ground traces the remarkable rise of women’s rugby in Fiji, featuring the journeys of iconic figures including Rusila Nagasau, Asinate Serevi, Bitila Tawake, Carletta Yee, and Timaima Ravisa, as well as rising talent Hadassah Adimaitoga Uluilakeba. At its heart is the intergenerational story of Waisale and Asinate Serevi—a moving representation of family, pride, advocacy, and the belief in what women’s sport can achieve when given visibility and investment.
In showcasing Fiji Rugby Union’s expanding pathways for women and girls, the film also highlights the vital role of the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports, which supports elite pathways, and the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls, which seeks to create safer, more equal communities across the region. These investments, along with the leadership of UN Women and Oceania Rugby, have contributed to unprecedented growth in support for women’s rugby in Fiji.
As the credits rolled, the audience rose to acknowledge the extraordinary women whose stories anchor the film, along with the all-female production crew led by director Emily Mayes. Their work was celebrated as a testament to the strength, resilience, and vision of Fijian women—on the field, in their homes, and across their communities.
Following the screening, MC, former Fijiana Captain and Fiji Rugby Union Board Director Lailanie Burnes reflected on the significance of the moment, saying: “Watching Breaking Ground was a rollercoaster of emotions. It takes you right back to the struggles so many of us walked through, and it tells the truth—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Seeing how our women continue to rise above social and cultural challenges to achieve what we once only dreamed of fills my heart with immense pride.”
Speaking to the importance of representation, equality, and social change through sport, UN Women Representative Alison Davidian noted:
“Tonight, we celebrate the remarkable journey of Fijian women in rugby. Women who have broken open a space that was never designed for them, who have pushed against resistance, doubt, and deeply rooted gender norms, and who have done so with extraordinary strength, discipline, and pride. This documentary captures something powerful. Not only the skill and success of these athletes, but the courage it has taken to simply step onto the field. To claim a place in a sport long dominated by men. To say: we belong here too.”
Fijiana star Rusila Nagasau also shared her pride in the documentary and the message it sends: “Tonight was incredibly special. Sharing our story isn’t about us—it’s about the next generation of girls across Fiji and the Pacific. We want them to know they belong here, that their dreams are valid, and that the platform we’re building is for them to go even further than we ever could.”
Oceania Rugby General Manager Frank Puletua added: “The documentary gave voice to powerful experiences and highlighted the enormous impact these players have on and off the field. With the support of partners like UN Women, the Australian Government, PacificAus Sports, the European Union, Team Up, and Fiji Rugby Union, we’re only at the beginning of what will be a positive and transformative journey for women’s rugby across the region.”
The premiere was proudly delivered by Oceania Rugby, UN Women, and the Fiji Rugby Union, with the support of the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports and the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally. The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket and Olympic/Paralympic sports, with funding split evenly between women and men. PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show’ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field’. The high-performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific. For more information about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.
Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls (Pacific Partnership)
The Pacific region has some of the highest rates of violence against women recorded in the world – twice the global average with an estimated two in every three Pacific women impacted by gender-based violence. Along with high rates of violence – a grave human rights violation - women and girls in the Pacific region experience constant and continual inequalities including low levels of participation in decision-making, limited economic opportunities, and restricted access to critical services and rights.
The Pacific Partnership brings together governments, civil society organisations, communities, and other partners to promote gender equality, prevent violence against women and girls, and increase access to quality response services for survivors. In Phase II, the USD17.0 million partnership is funded primarily by the Government of Australia (USD 8.8m), and the European Union (USD 8.2m), and coordinated by UN Women and the Pacific Community (SPC), in strategic partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
It builds on the achievements of Phase I and wide-ranging regional and national partnership and initiatives on gender equality and ending violence against women and girls.
