Empowering Young Fijian Athletes – AVRDT Workshop Set to Launch Nationwide

The story of the AVRDT initiative begins nearly a decade ago, when former Flying Fijians Koli Sewabu, Bill Cavubati, and current Fiji Rugby High Performance Unit Manager Mike Legge founded the NZ Fiji Schools 7s Rugby Programme in 2016. Their vision was simple but bold – to give young people of Fijian heritage in Aotearoa a genuine pathway to high-level rugby opportunities, while staying connected to culture and community.  

From those early beginnings, the programme has grown into a platform of excellence. The first U18 boys' team entered the World Schools 7s Tournament that same year and made it to the final, falling only to the New Zealand Secondary Schools 7s side. Many of those players have since gone on to professional careers.  

Recognising the need for long-term sustainability and greater holistic support for young athletes, the Aotearoa Viti Rugby Development Charitable Trust (AVRDT) was established. Its mission: to nurture, develop, and empower Fijian youth to thrive as high-performance athletes – not only on the field, but in life.  

Now, with funding from Pasefika Proud through the Ministry of Social Development, that mission is being realised through a new programme: Empowering Young Fijian Athletes with Cultural Wellbeing and Financial Literacy. The first of four workshops will be held in Auckland on Saturday 23 August, followed by regional activations in Wellington (September), Christchurch (October), and a final in-camp workshop ahead of the Global Youth 7s Tournament in December.  

The initiative aims to support 80 Fijian youth nationwide. According to programme lead Alfred Uluinayau, the focus is clear: “If we empower our young people of Fijian heritage to embrace their culture and identity, it gives them the best foundation to be grounded and succeed on and off the field.”  

Each workshop offers a full day of hands-on activities and talanoa grounded in three core areas:  

Fijian Language: bilingual facilitation, language stations, and the use of Fijian terms across modules  

Cultural Identity: storytelling, Meke, crafts, and wisdom from elders and community leaders  

Financial Literacy: practical sessions on budgeting, saving, and contracts – all grounded in real-life Fijian scenarios like communal savings and village obligations  

Participants will also benefit from sessions on mental wellbeing, resilience coaching, rugby 7s skills, and career planning. The Auckland workshop will feature special guests Richie Barnett and Te Mana Performing Arts Director Albert Traill , with the day closing in celebration through cultural performance and shared dinner.

“Rugby is in our blood,” says Uluinayau. “It’s a space where our young people can express identity and connect with their roots. These workshops teach teamwork, humility, and resilience while keeping heritage front and centre.”  

The programme’s success won’t just be measured in tries scored. Uluinayau says personal development is key – with indicators like confidence, identity, leadership, and emotional wellbeing being tracked through surveys, peer observation, and community feedback. Families, schools, and whānau will also be invited to reflect on changes they’ve seen in their young people.  

“Our hope is that by the time we get to the Global Youth 7s in December, we’re not just seeing talented athletes – we’re seeing confident, culturally grounded young leaders who know where they come from and where they’re going.”  

Community support will also be vital. AVRDT is calling on Fijian and wider Pasefika whānau to get behind the kaupapa by showing up, sharing wisdom, and creating strong support networks around the next generation.  

As Uluinayau puts it: “Whether our kids win or lose on the field, we honour their growth, courage, and commitment. That’s what this is all about.”