The following is an opinion piece by Fiji-born and raised Satish Chand who is a Professor of Finance at the School of Business of the University of New South Wales, based at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra and Jim Sanday, a retired Australian public servant and former Lieutenant-Colonel in the pre-coup Royal Fiji Military Forces. Both Professor Chand and Mr Sanday co-authored the National Security Strategy (NSS) 2005-2029 that was approved by Cabinet on 3 June, 2025.
FIJI has always been a force to be reckoned with in world rugby – a small nation that often outshines the giants. In recent years the Flying Fijians took the scalps of the Wallabies (Australia), England and Wales. Our men’s 7s team took gold at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics and silver in Paris. Our women’s 7s won bronze in Tokyo.
In Super Rugby, the Fijian Drua have mesmerized the crowd with their dazzling skill. But for all the glory on the field, the time has come to ask: can Fiji’s rugby success be turned into real opportunity for our youth, for our economy, and for our people abroad. A bold new national initiative is now needed to do just that.
Fiji Rugby Union to lead a bold new path
At the heart of this vision is the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU). With the backing of government and support from local fans and our diaspora (Fijians living overseas), the FRU is best positioned to lead a program that will monetise Fiji’s rugby brand and invest in the next generation of Fijian rugby players.
The plan is simple but ambitious: establish a world-class Centre of Excellence in Rugby – a national academy that identifies and nurtures talent from across Fiji, from villages, towns, and maritime islands, and connects them to professional pathways both at home and abroad.
With over 17,000 students leaving school each year – and fewer than half finding formal work – such a Centre would give many young people a real chance at a sustainable career in sport. A sports academy goes beyond rugby, however, the proposed academy is about building life skills, instilling discipline, fostering leadership, and promoting national pride.
Backing from the National Security Review
This vision is directly aligned with the recommendations of the National Security and Defence Review (NSDR). That report highlighted youth unemployment, crime, and social fissures as critical national security threats – and called for innovative, community-based solutions.
Rugby – already a unifying force in Fiji – can be part of the answer. Whether cheering for the Drua in Suva or waving flags in Sydney, rugby binds Fijians together like nothing else. A Centre of Excellence would not just be a training ground for elite athletes, it would be a hub of national cohesion, youth development, and economic resilience.
As noted by the NSDR, national unity and public trust cannot be legislated. They must be built from the ground up. Sport, especially rugby, offers a uniquely powerful way to do just that.
The Role of the Diaspora: A Sleeping Giant Awakened
Our diaspora – particularly in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the U.S.- send home over $1 billion in remittances every year, nearly 10 per cent of Fiji’s GDP. Many overseas Fijians are former players, coaches, or fans who want to contribute.
Now, under a formal Diaspora Policy that the NSDR has proposed to government, rugby could serve as a key bridge. The proposed Centre of Excellence would provide a structured mechanism for diaspora investment – through scholarships, infrastructure support, mentorship programs, or professional placements abroad.
A Return of Talent Programme embedded in the recommended Diaspora Policy, could ease the path for overseas Fijians to return – whether temporarily or permanently – to contribute to the building of a stronger rugby system at home.
Special Forces Mindset: A competitive edge for Fiji Rugby
One untapped area of expertise lies in the experience of Fijians serving in elite military units, such as the British Army’s Special Forces. These individuals operate in high-performance environments that demand mental resilience, discipline, and exceptional focus – qualities equally vital on the rugby field.
By incorporating elements of Special Forces psychology and high-performance training into our national rugby programme, we can equip players not only with physical ability but with the mental discipline and focus needed to compete at the highest level.
Collaborating with Fijians in these elite units would add a unique dimension to player development, transforming our rugby athletes into mentally resilient leaders both on and off the field.
More than a Sports Academy – A national investment
The proposed Centre of Excellence would be far more than a sports facility. It would be a national institution for transformation.
It could offer:
By keeping youth engaged, fostering community pride, and offering an alternative to crime or social dislocation, the Centre would become a pillar of national security and a generator of economic prosperity.
Fiji’s global brand and soft power
Rugby is one of Fiji’s most recognisable global exports – and one of our most successful. A Centre of Excellence, backed by government and led by the FRU, would enhance Fiji’s soft power diplomacy, showcase our regional leadership, and align with international standards set by World Rugby.
It would also anchor broader economic opportunities in merchandise, training tourism, diaspora engagement, and public-private partnerships for investment in the required support infrastructure.
Expanding Fiji’s sporting diplomacy: New frontiers with China
As Fiji strengthens its global sporting reputation, a new frontier is emerging in the form of sports diplomacy with China. The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the FRU and the China Rugby Football Association (CRFA) provides the framework for Fiji and China to explore avenues for deeper cooperation in areas such as training exchanges, facility development, and athlete scholarships.
These engagements – still in their early stages – present an opportunity to widen Fiji’s sporting influence while leveraging technical financial partnerships. Sport has always been a potent tool of diplomacy, and rugby can serve as a bridge between cultures.
By strategically engaging with China and other global partners through sport, Fiji not only enhances its international standing but opens new doors for investment, education, and people-to-people links that benefit youth development at home.
Time to Act
Fiji already has what many countries can only dream of: a proud rugby heritage, an abundance of talent, and a loyal global diaspora. What we now need is structure, strategic investment, and a national vision. By empowering the FRU to establish a Centre of Excellence, we invest not only in rugby – but in our youth, our communities, and our future as a nation. Let us turn the roar of the crowd into real, lasting results-on and off the field. Toso Viti!
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of USP Journalism or this training news website.
