The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Lynda Tabuya was invited by Rugby Australia to attend the Super Rugby Women’s final in Townsville on Saturday (06/05/2023).

Tabuya was present yesterday in support of the Fijiana Drua who defended their title against Queensland Reds two years in a row.

Tabuya was accompanied by Permanent Secretary for Youth & Sports, Rovereto Nayacalevu and FRU Interim Administrator, Simi Valenitabua.

Tabuya acknowledged how important it was that government was represented at senior levels to showcase not only support for our women, but to show solidarity in the Vuvale Partnership PacificAus Sports programme that has enabled access to elite competitions and pathways for our women and girls.

Minister Tabuya especially acknowledged the valuable support of the Australian government through DFAT to fund various sporting programs to realise gender equality in sports and knows that more can be done. “I’m excited about the possibilities for our women especially in the face of adversities on their tours and I call on Fiji Rugby Union in its restructure to ensure gender mainstreaming and gender responsive budgeting in its policies and programs”.

Tabuya stated that “I would like to see greater representations of women in the board as well as any commercial entities to be spun off the proposed incorporated Rugby Fiji.”

Tabuya spoke with the team right before the game and joined them in the official trophy presentation and victory song “E Da sa Qaqa”.

Tabuya was later accorded a traditional welcome by the Townsville Fijian Community who then handed gifts to the Fijiana Drua women.