Communities building sport — 3 things we can learn from the Fiji Volleyball Federation
In October 2015, Fiji Volleyball won the Beyond Sport award for their efforts in using sport as a platform for social change. In doing so, they came up against formidable shortlist of Goliaths — the International Tennis Federation, USA’s National Hockey League and National Rugby League, Australia. A few weeks later in Monaco, Fiji Volleyball was also awarded the Peace and Sport prize.
In just two years, Fiji Volleyball has moved from being a small sport federation with a focus of the performance-based programs to a world class community change agent that is growing rapidly. The Australian Government’s Pacific Sports Partnership program has provided much needed funding and technical support for this change however it is unique development strategies that has set Fiji Volleyball apart.
“We got people to ask more of our sport, not less,” said the program manager Ms Semaima Lagilagi.
Here are three strategies that changed the game for Fiji Volleyball.
- Design the program for the people who are usually included last.
In Fiji, older women in peri-urban areas are in the highest risk category for developing non communicable diseases. Fiji Volleyball designed an entry-level program to meet the specific needs of this group. The rationale was that providing a service to a hard to reach group not only makes Fijians healthier and more active, it also opens Fiji Volleyball up to new and diverse funders and partners that will all contribute to a greater investment and interest in the sport.
As the target group of older women began to experience the health and social benefits of playing volleyball, they encouraged their daughters and nieces to play. As more women started to play, more children started to appear at the courts and Fiji Volleyball responded by creating activities for them. Before long, the men in the village requested their own program and Fiji Volleyball was pleased to help out as long as the older women’s program was not compromised. Within just a few months the entire community was figuring out how to manage the program independently through the newly established Tebara Volleyball Association.
2. Ask first
Fiji Volleyball invested in formative behaviour change research. This research gave Fiji Volleyball information about the concerns, hopes, interests and schedules of the target group as well as the people who influenced their behaviour. It also provided a broader understanding of the cultural and physical environment within which the change would be taking place. The research process had the additional benefit of building a trusting relationship between Fiji Volleyball volunteers and the provincial council, village headmen, men’s and women’s groups and individuals in the village. Fiji Volleyball and members of the village were able to design a program together. The first training session took place just a week later.
3. Partner with other organisations to address barriers and opportunities
Fiji Volleyball knew they were best equipped to focus on the sport component of the program and enlisted the support from other partners to address other barriers and opportunities.
One of the most critical partners was the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) which addressed gender based violence issues by facilitating a gender and sport workshop attended by 54 village headmen from the Rewa province. Fiji Volleyball also enlisted the support of the FWCC trained male advocates to be the face and voice of the program to the men’s groups. By partnering with volleyball, FWCC was able to reach people who may not ordinarily participate in FWCC campaigns.
Fiji Volleyball also offered the community opportunities to access new or more convenient services. At regular festivals, players could access health checks and electoral and financial management services. Fiji Volleyball volunteers had opportunities to get new skills and qualifications through a training partnership with the Oceania Sport Education Program. In some cases, this led to paid employment and formal training.
The upshot of these activities was the value of sport was increased in the community due, in part, to the gateway it provided to other services.
The next steps for Fiji Volleyball is to offer the opportunity to reap the benefits of physical activity to neighbouring villages in Rewa province.
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Beyond Sport Awards:
http://www.beyondsport.org/awards
Peace and Sport Awards:
http://www.peace-sport.org/en/
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