Fiji Life Foundation, through sponsorship from The Brynes Foundation, Sydney, hosted a grassroots rugby tournament and netball competition on Kadavu Island on 21st January 2026. FijiLIFE provided all four schools on Kadavu Island with rugby and netball kits. The tournament was titled the inaugural “Fiji Life Foundation Kadavu Cup.”
Mr Grant Pisani from The Brynes Foundation refereed the rugby games and helped with the schools’ transportation costs. Grant designed and provided the captivating trophy of an Australian boomerang on a stand (see above) for the rugby tournament symbolising deep cultural endurance, creation stories, and connection to the vanua. A trophy depicting a whale (see right) was crafted for the netball competition. Whales, specifically their teeth (tabua), are critically important in Kadavu and broader Fijian culture as the highest symbol of respect, honour, and social status.
From Mr Salusalu, Fiji Life Foundation Team Member in Fiji:
Dear Team,
I wanted to share a report on the fantastic presentation we had at the Namalata District School located on Kadavu Island, the fourth largest island in Fiji, situated within the Kadavu Group in the Southern Lau archipelago.
The students from 3 villages schools on Kadavu – Namalata Central School, Vunisei District School, and Muani Village School – showcased their talents beautifully in their new kits, and it was heartwarming to see. Sadly students from the 4th school – Nasegai District School – were unable to attend the tournament.
It was truly rewarding to see the smiles on the children’s faces, and Paul Scrivener and Grant Pisani witnessed first-hand the positive impact we made. Grant was the referee for the rugby matches. Additionally, Grant generously provided funds for the players’ transportation.
The joy we brought to the schools was evident, and even the head teacher expressed how we felt like angels to them, noting that they had never received such support before, apart from the Fiji Life Foundation.
Looking ahead, I believe Koro Island should be our next focus. It would be great to plan a visit, and I would love for one of you to join me. Thank you, Fiji Life Foundation, for making a difference once again yesterday!
At the Fiji Life Foundation, we are dedicated to advancing social and public welfare through our various charitable programs and initiatives. Our mission is to create a promising future for the communities in Fiji by focusing on key areas such as education, healthcare, grassroots sports & youth development, and overall community well-being.
To achieve this, we aim to establish a $12 million Capital Growth Fund. This fund is designed to generate sustainable annual returns, ensuring that we can continually support and expand our charitable programs. With your support, we can make a significant impact on the lives of many in Fiji.
We invite you to join us in this important mission. Together, we can transform lives and foster a brighter future for generations to come.
To make your gift to Fiji Life Foundation click this link and select “Grassroots Youth Development“: https://aqcegccd.donorsupport.co/page/FUNFCNKDVAT
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our work.
Best regards,
Tamai Jone Salusalu
(Fiji Life Foundation local organizer)
21 Jan 2026
Here are the four teams from Kadavu Island schools…
Below are pictures of the Rugby & Netball trophy presentations and tournament.
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