Next Saturday, October 7, marks the National Rugby Championship’s competition wide Pasifika Round, and as part of the celebrations in 2017, Australians are being encouraged to donate their old Rugby boots, balls and playing kit to give hundreds of children living in Fiji another reason to smile.
The NRC has kick-started a drive which urges locals to drop off their pre-loved Rugby gear at various matches across the country over the next two weekends, including Bond University Queensland Country’s two home games at Bond University against the Melbourne Rising and NSW Country.
The goods will then be given to The Fiji Project, who will visit hundreds of locals across Fiji who are in desperate need of new sporting equipment and clothing.
Co- founder of The Fiji Project Katrina Oxenham said ‘’Most Fijian children play Rugby barefoot and have never owned a pair of boots or any other Rugby kit, but their simple love for Rugby is second to none so this will mean the world to them.
"The campaign also ties into the competition wide Pasifika Round on October 7 and 8 which celebrates the influence of the Pacific Islander community on Rugby in Australia.
St.George Queensland Reds and Queensland Country winger Eto Nabuli said: “We have a lot of guys from different Pacific Islander backgrounds in the team, we're all proud of where we come from and to celebrate our culture with Pasifika Round will be special.
“It's also great to be able to have the Rugby community come together and collect some kit for the less fortunate in Fiji.”
So now’s the time for supporters to dust off their old boots and get behind their home team with collection boxes located at Bond University on the Gold Coast over the next two weekends.
Pasifika Round
Saturday 30 September Bond University Queensland Country v Melbourne Rising; Bond University, Gold Coast; 3:00PM
Saturday 7 October Bond University Queensland Country v Elders NSW Country Eagles; Bond University, Gold Coast; 5:00 PM
Sunday 8 October Macquarie University Sydney Rays v McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City; Pittwater Park, Sydney; 3:00 PM
