Australians are being encouraged to donate their old footy boots, balls and playing kits to give hundreds of children living in Fiji another reason to smile.
The National Rugby Championship 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.
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 Pasifika Round on October 7 and 8 which celebrates the influence of the Pacific Islander community on Rugby in Australia.
Greater Sydney Rams player Albert Tuisue said ‘’There’s a lot of us boys from the Islands playing in the NRC and it’s great we get to recognise that, as we’re very proud of where we come from.’’
So now’s the time for locals to dust off their old boots and get behind their home team with collection boxes located at NRC matches in Canberra, Sydney, Perth, the Gold Coast and Goulburn, NSW on the dates listed below.
Friday 29 September
Canberra Vikings v Fiji Airways Drua; Viking Park, Canberra; 7:00 PM
Saturday 30 September
Bond University Queensland Country v Melbourne Rising; Bond University, Gold Coast; 3:00PM
Sunday 1 October
Road Safety Perth Spirit v McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City; McGillivray Oval, Perth; 5:00PM
Monday 2 October
Elders NSW Country Eagles v Macquarie University Sydney Rays; Goulburn, NSW; 3:00 PM
Pasifika Round
Saturday 7 October
Bond University Queensland Country v Elders NSW Country Eagles; Bond University, Gold Coast; 5:00 PM
Saturday 7 October
Greater Sydney Rams v Fiji Airways Drua; TG Millner Oval, Sydney; 3:00 PM
Sunday 8 October Melbourne Rising v Canberra Vikings; Frankston, Melbourne; 1:00 PM
Sunday 8 October Macquarie University Sydney Rays v McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City; Pittwater Park, Sydney; 3:00 PM
