sOuth PacIFIc
FIjI
“ It was a GReat
exPeRIeNce, It was
the Best thING I
have eveR dONe.”
adaM BROOMFIeld, FIjI,
Fiji is our flagship sports
july 2008
destination where we offer
‘all the sports under the sun’.
also with teaching and Medical
Projects, Fiji is one of our most
popular destinations – the
stunning beaches, mountainous
interiors and crystal clear
waters of this island archipelago
make it easy to understand why.
sports Projects
During the day, our rugby projects focus on
Football is the second most popular sport
school’s rugby at primary and secondary level
among boys in Fiji and is widely played on the
we offer football, rugby,
where structured coaching can instantly
west coast. There is a highly competitive and
hockey, netball, tennis and
improve the technique and skill-level of the
wel supported national Premier League and
swimming; you can choose
players. We also work with local academy teams the profile of the game has risen dramatical y
to focus on one, or combine
where your experience, training dril s and a fresh in recent years.
many sports.
approach can improve tactical awareness and
Volunteers can have a major impact on the
overall game-play.
Al of our projects are based in Lautoka on the
development of the beautiful game in Fiji
sunny West coast of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu.
Hockey has been played in Fiji since the 1930s
working in local schools to improve basic skil s.
Lautoka is sports-mad, but also known for
with regional and national leagues, but stil lacks Volunteers may also get involved at local clubs,
producing sugar and is affectionately known as
any real youth development structure. In the last coaching, training and playing matches in the
‘Sugar City’. Al volunteers live together with our
few years, Madventurer have been responsible
evening and at weekends. We also have links
Crew in our house overlooking the sea. With an
for introducing the sport to thousands of
with the most successful club in Fiji in the nearby
outdoor pool with a view out to the islands it is
children. With basic introductory coaching on
town of Ba where our volunteers may have the
the ultimate place to recover after a hard day’s
grass and regular trips to local pitches to refine
opportunity to coach at the youth academy and
coaching. We also offer accommodation in
the new skil s volunteers can real y make a
train with the first team.
shared home-stays.
difference converting a young player’s
Coaching Swimming is a vital contribution in a
enthusiasm into ability.
Fiji is one of the world’s largest recipients of
country where drowning is a major cause of
foreign aid per capita and many Fijians live in
Volunteers may also be able to coach, train and
death among young people. Lack of pools,
poverty. A proud nation with unbridled passion
play with local clubs in the evening and may even funding and inadequate coaching mean that
for sport and an abundance of natural talent, yet
take optional trips to Suva to train with national
many Fijians never learn to swim. Working in
sport stil remains vastly underdeveloped due
team players on the only water-based Astroturf
cooperation with the ASAF (Amateur Swimming
to a lack of funding, facilities and coaching.
in that part of the world.
Association of Fiji), you wil help teach children
to swim ultimately helping to save lives.
Together with local sports development
Netball is the most popular women’s sport in Fiji, Volunteers will also have the opportunity to
organisations we coach a large number of
with many regular players from primary school
coach local swimming clubs.
schools, col eges, clubs and rural vil age teams.
age up to adult. Although netbal has been
Volunteers have the opportunity to coach a
played in Fiji for years, it is only recently that
Our Tennis coaching project is based at the ITF
number of sessions during the day. In the
a structured development plan has been put
(International Tennis Federation) Academy in
evenings you may also be given the chance
in place.
Lautoka. Tennis is a growing sport in Fiji with
to train with local clubs to improve your own
promising players working towards sports
game and real y feel part of the community.
Enthusiasm for netbal is evident in every school scholarships for further education overseas. The
that we coach at. Volunteers can expect a very
ITF admit that the main problem in Fiji is making
Rugby is the most popular sport in Fiji and is
warm welcome to any adults clubs they train
tennis available at grass roots level; this is where
played with great flair. However, despite Fiji
with. Most teams train every night of the week
our focus lies and with mini-tennis equipment
Rugby’s success on the international front,
and play matches on a Saturday.
and support from ITF coaches, Madventurer
the national game receives little financial or
are introducing tennis to children in schools
coaching support at grassroots level and most
throughout the region. Both swimming and
children never receive proper coaching to
tennis coaching need to be combined with
harness their obvious natural flair.
another sport.
27 ©Madventure Travel Ltd 2000 – 2009