Pacific Fern Foundation | Uniting leadership across our Pacific, through sport

Who we are

Leadership grows our Pacific communities.

Our mission: to strengthen our Pacific community through investment in sport at the grassroots level, with support from Australia and New Zealand.

Our vision: a united Pacific community through sport; inspiring participation, talent development and social connection.

Every project is developed alongside the communities we serve.

Community firstLasting impact begins with listening. Every project is developed alongside Pacific communities.

AccessibilitySport belongs to everyone. Facilities and programmes open to the whole community.

SustainabilityDurable design, local knowledge and environmental responsibility.

CollaborationCommunities, governments, councils and sporting organisations, together.

Opportunity through sportA driver of health, education and connection, and a pathway for Pacific talent to the world stage.

Flagship programme

Train the Trainers

In June 2026 we delivered the first Train the Trainers programme at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka: three days of coach education across rugby league, touch and Oztag, led by facilitators from the NRL, Touch NZ and Australian Oztag, with 24 Fijian coaching participants and the support of the Fiji National Sports Commission.

Alongside the programme, a Fiji Men's Open World Cup trial drew more than 50 players, with 12 to be selected to represent Fiji at the 2026 World Cup in Australia. Graduates and NRL Game Development Officers have already taken the training into schools.

Sevusevu welcome ceremony — Sevusevu welcome, day one

Facilitator coaching session — On-field coach education

Woman passing a rugby ball — Women's pathways in focus

Tag rugby action at the World Cup trial — National World Cup trial, Lawaqa Park

"I look forward to expanding the training impacts on key stakeholders including community clubs, school children and school teachers through FNSC mandated development programs." Joji Liga, Sports Development Manager, Fiji National Sports Commission

"One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was seeing participants gain the confidence to educate others within their own communities." Mickey Woolliams, NRL, TTT 2026

"Training at home typically involves using YouTube resources... the experience of learning from international coaches is amazing and beneficial for both coaches and players." Lorimo Jitoko, TTT 2026

"Considering this was a pilot program, expectations were exceeded through the smooth delivery of the workshops and the overall logistics of the trip." Michael Buettner (OAM), Oztag Australia, TTT 2026

Watch

Straight from Lawaqa Park

The sevusevu, and the government's word Joji Liga of the Fiji National Sports Commission welcomes the programme: "funded and supported by the Fiji Sports Commission... making sport accessible to all Fijians."

Equality in leadership Encouraging women into coaching, administration and management roles, from secondary school to club level.

Into the schools TTT participants and NRL Game Development Officers deliver a cross-code Fit for Life session at Saint Joan of Arc school.

The national trial 50+ players at the first Fiji Men's Open trials, with 12 to be selected for the 2026 World Cup in Australia.

Growing rugby league Local and international coaches on growing their own sports together.

Inside the workshops Facilitators on the goal of the course: confident Fijian coach educators taking touch, tag and league back to their own communities.

What's next

Train the Trainers: Coaches 2027

April 2027, Sigatoka. Built on the facilitator review of the pilot, expanded with our partners:

Rugby leagueNRL facilitators return, with 2026 graduates as mentors.

TouchTouch NZ grows the coach-educator base.

OztagFeeding the national pathway measured by the 2026 trial.

Netball: newNetball Fiji joins, in line with FNSC planning.

Medics: newFirst aid and sports medicine training delivered alongside the codes.

Train the Trainers: Officials 2027

An entirely new programme for 2027, requested by the Fiji National Sports Commission and the 2026 facilitators: the same train-the-trainer model, applied to the whistle.

Rugby league: newMatch official education for the local league community.

Touch: newReferee upskilling to grow and support the local game.

Oztag: newOfficials trained to back the national pathway.

Netball: newUmpire development alongside the coaching stream.

Medics: newFirst aid and sports medicine training in support of every official's stream.

In development: Schools leadership programmes delivered through Fiji Teachers Registration Authority institutional registration, with police clearance and Ministry of Education approval for every facilitator.

Projects

Delivered and underway

Past projects

Train the Trainers: flagship coach education programme, piloted June 2026
Broadcast cameras donated to FijiTV, enabling international broadcasts
Upgrade of the Chairman's Lounge at Lawaqa Park
Upgrade of the #2 field at Lawaqa Park

Current projects

Expansion of the Train the Trainers programme
Surveying and mooring of Va'a racing lanes in the Sigatoka River

Governance

Board of Trustees

Our founding trustees bring together Fijian sport leadership, governance and financial expertise, with New Zealand charitable registration in progress.

Patariki SpellmanChairmanChartered Member of the Institute of Directors NZ. Founder of We Are Indigenous Trust and Pacific Cup Sports Trust.

Richard HenryFounder & TrusteeChartered Accountant and founder of TourismHQ and the Fijian Cup.

Nanise TikoicinaTrusteePresident of Tag Fiji and Board Member of the Fiji National Rugby League.

Luke ChapmanTrusteeTouch Blacks Head Coach, Director of the Fijian Cup and founder of Elementz Sports Club NZ and Fiji.

Uniting leadership across our Pacific to build stronger communities.

Train the Trainers is delivered with the Fiji National Sports Commission and the best in class from Australia and New Zealand's leading codes. We warmly welcome further government, corporate, and philanthropic partners to help us scale this measurable community impact.