Greg Maguire, The Rugby Foundation (TRF) Ambassador, recently visited the Nadi District School in Fiji to present them with new Rugby Balls and Shirts courtesy of The Rugby
Foundation. CAPT Greg Maguire,(US Navy ret) made the visit in July to cement the international links that rugby and in particular TRF brings to communities around the world.
Nadi District School is one of the oldest schools in Fiji, established in 1930, it boasts
over 600 students and 18 staff members. Many Fijians trace their educational roots to the Nadi District School and the school has served average to low income families for over 90 years. While visiting Nadi District School, Greg was able to meet the coach of the school's rugby team as well as many of the younger players that are getting ready to kick off their season.
“The timing of the visit was perfect” according to school staff. As Greg arrived at the school the captivating sound of singing children was heard coming from the open air classrooms as they began their morning routine.
As word spread of the visit, the children ran out of the classrooms to meet Greg and receive the rugby balls. As soon as they met Greg, they took him to a wonderful map of
the world on one of the school walls and Greg spend some time teaching
geography and talking about the USA.
"As a former US Navy Pilot I have had the opportunity to visit schools around the world during our port visits." Said Greg Maguire. "We also had our own Rugby Team onboard the aircraft carrier that would play against local clubs and teams throughout Asia; I always remember the support that they had provided us in teaching our US Service Members the game of Rugby.”
“The children were awesome; we talked about the Foundation’s work across the globe, the principles that we all strive for and we did a ‘One Two Three RUGBY’ cheer at the end of the visit. I told them that I look forward to seeing them playing Rugby for Fiji in the USA one day and they said they were ready!"
Mike Mulroy the Foundation’s Director of Rugby 200 said “Imagine going to a place that the whole of the rugby world reveres, the birthplace of legends like Waisale Serevi and Lote Tuqiri and actually being treated as a hero yourself for bringing rugby balls and shirts”. “This is why we need to help the rugby world to be a level playing field and support the next generation of athletes from these under-funded nations.”
Since its founding in 1823, the sport of Rugby has grown around the globe, with members that fully understand the need to give back to our communities and youth. The Rugby Foundation was formed in Las Vegas, Nevada USA to increase these opportunities to the sport with focus areas of supporting youth, women's, service, and handicapped rugby teams worldwide. Fiji Rugby is one of the more dominant World Cup teams having recently become back to back Olympic Gold Medal Champions in 2016 in Rio and in 2021 in Tokyo.
Phil Klevorick, founder and CEO of The Rugby Foundation, said that he “truly appreciates the support of Fiji Rugby while visiting the USA”. “Their squad regularly takes the time out of their busy schedule to visit US schools and rugby clubs. They may be a small nation but they are giants within rugby and everybody has a place for Fiji in their heart; it’s only right that the Foundation can give something back to the next generation." "We hope to continue to expand our support like this and we truly appreciate our sponsors for giving us this opportunity to support Rugby around the world."
If you’d like to find out more about the work of the Foundation in “Growing the Game Globally” or get involved please check out our website www.therugbyfoundation.org
