Newport Junior Rugby Club’s (NJRC) Under-14 boys and girls teams returned from a memorable week in Fiji’s Coral Coast on 13 July as part of the NJRC 2025 tour, where they delivered both on-field performances and off-field community support that brought joy to local schools and communities.
The Newport players took on two Fijian schools in friendly matches that showcased rugby’s unifying spirit. The boys faced a physical Nasikawa Vision School team at Naviti Field, while the girls squad competed against Sigatoka Andrha School, with both games ending in smiles and new friendships across the teams.
But it was what happened away from the rugby field that made the tour special. The Newport group visited Koroinasau Primary School where they donated an interactive whiteboard for the school’s basic library. The technology gift – purchased through fundraising by the Under-14 players and their families – will transform learning opportunities at the school, which only received internet access a few months ago.
“The smartboard will open doors to the world and educational opportunities that were previously out of reach,” said tour manager Stoddard Lance. “It was the kids’ fundraising efforts and community spirit that made this incredible gift possible.
Northern Beaches rugby clubs rallied and made generous donations of clothing and sports equipment that will make a real difference and have been distributed across both schools and the wider Coral Coast community.