Stonewriters says it will no longer remain silent over what it describes as obstacles to creating education and Rugby Sevens pathways for young athletes in Fiji.
The organisation, established in 2023, says it has faced setbacks involving a proposed sports institute, education programmes, a Rugby Sevens academy and a university pathway, but insists its focus remains on creating opportunities for student-athletes.
“Enough. We’re breaking our silence now,” Stonewriters said in a statement.
Stonewriters said its original vision was to establish a facility and pathway that would allow young athletes to pursue education, sport and personal development together.
In 2024, it brought an investor to Fiji to explore construction of a sports institute at Yako Village.
However, Stonewriters said it withdrew from the project after becoming concerned that the interests of other stakeholders did not align with its objectives.
It then shifted its focus to education, exploring the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment through USP TAFE.
The organisation said the qualification would enable its Olympians and world champions to develop and deliver recognised courses based on their sporting experience.
Its plan was to qualify its personnel, develop courses, obtain the required approvals and accreditation, and eventually deliver the programmes through the proposed Stonewriters Institute.
Stonewriters said it sought assistance from the Government and Fiji Rugby to fund the training, but the support did not eventuate.
It later developed a pathway focused on university athletes and Rugby Sevens.
The proposed pathway was: School → Tertiary Education → University Rugby Sevens → International University Competition → Fiji Rugby high-performance selection.
Stonewriters said it secured a third-party investor to fully fund its proposed inter-tertiary programme before approaching the Fiji University Sports Association (FUSA).
The organisation proposed establishing and funding a dedicated University Rugby Sevens programme, beginning with women’s Sevens in its first year.
It said the programme would allow student-athletes to continue their tertiary education while receiving structured Rugby Sevens development.
Stonewriters said it presented the proposal to FUSA officials, including Vice-President and interim President Katalina Toga, while FUSA President Alifereti Cawanibuka Snr was on sick leave.
According to Stonewriters, FUSA initially indicated that the parties should proceed with formalities and an MOU before athlete recruitment began around the Inter-Tertiary Competition.
The organisation said it was subsequently informed that FUSA could no longer partner with Stonewriters because it was not affiliated with Fiji Rugby.
Stonewriters said this requirement was communicated after it had submitted its proposal to fund the university Sevens pathway.
The organisation also raised concerns over an earlier approach from Fiji Rugby regarding its potential registration as a national academy.
Stonewriters said it was initially told it had been selected as one of three officially recognised national academies, but was later advised to become a 15s academy and register under a provincial rugby union.
The organisation rejected that approach, saying its expertise and experience were in Rugby Sevens.
Stonewriters also disputed comments attributed to Fiji Rugby official Talemo Waqa during discussions that “Sevens is just entertainment.”
Stonewriters said the comment was unacceptable given Fiji’s achievements in Olympic Rugby Sevens.
“Not only is Rugby Sevens an Olympic sport, but it is undeniably one of Fiji’s greatest international sporting success stories,” it said.
The organisation said it would not register under an individual provincial union because its purpose was to support Rugby Sevens athletes nationally rather than limit its work to one province.
Stonewriters stressed that it is not a rugby union, rugby club or currently a rugby academy.
“We are an organisation bringing together Rugby Sevens experience, expertise, resources and people to create opportunities for young athletes,” it said.
Its central focus, it said, is the student-athlete.
“A young Fijian should have the opportunity to study, play Rugby Sevens, develop as both a person and an athlete, and pursue their dream of representing Fiji,” Stonewriters said.
The organisation said it would continue pursuing opportunities for young athletes and announced plans for a free Member Truth Line from 1 October to provide updates on discussions affecting available opportunities.
It also said its Official Stonewriters Newsletter would be launched shortly.
Stonewriters said funding secured for its FUSA proposal would now be redirected to another opportunity for young athletes.
The organisation did not provide further details of that initiative.
