The Pacific Rugby Internship

An Overview...

In partnership with Pacific Rugby Welfare, Think Pacific, World Rugby and the Pacific Island rugby unions, these internships allow aspiring coaches and referees from the Pacific and around the world to gain valuable coaching qualifications. Interns will have the unique opportunity to work within the unions themselves, as well as living in remote communities and learning how to coach and referee. Both the interns and community members would receive coaching and refereeing training throughout the project, concluding with everyone passing their level 1/2 refereeing and coaching qualifications. Throughout the project, interns can assist in setting up sports camps and tournaments, whilst also working where needed with the Fiji 7s men’s and women’s sides.

Key Purpose/Outcomes
  • For aspiring locals and internationals to achieve coaching/refereeing qualifications.
  • To promote the development of Pacific rugby and showcase the Pacific lifestyle.
  • To raise the standard of refereeing and coaching across the nation.
  • To identify talented individuals for the rugby union academies.
Partnership Roles
Organisation Responsibilities

Rugby Unions: The Island unions will plan the internship journey and will coordinate the project with Think Pacific.

Think Pacific: Lead on marketing strategy and providing volunteering infrastructure (risk assessments, interns onboarding and journey, insurances etc.).

Pacific Rugby Players Welfare: Lead on developing partnerships and contacts in the Union, also working with TP on marketing and ensuring projects are meeting objectives.

World Rugby: To endorse the project, assist in the marketing, give accreditation to and potentially provide funding. 

 

 

Itinerary
Phase 1
Briefing

Met at the airport by current or former professional players before being taken for a briefing at the rugby union office. Here, all interns are introduced and inducted into the program.

Phase 2
Working at the Union

Here, the interns will be able to work on any programs that the union requires assistance with, whether that be organising outreaches, assisting in local rugby and gym sessions, delivering kit or completing office based tasks.

Phase 3
Learning whilst living in a community

Travelling to a village (selected by the rugby union), interns will meet the family they will be living with over the next few weeks. Here, they will have the opportunity to learn from a qualified coach (provided by the rugby union, World Rugby or Think Pacific) on how to coach and referee.

Phase 4
Organising Tournaments/Camps

Interns can assist with the planning, organising and delivery of tournaments and sports camps, in line with the aims of the union.

Phase 5
Gaining Coaching/Referring Accreditation

As the project draws to a close, both interns and community members that have been working on their qualifications are able to undergo an assessment from which they can hopefully begin their journey to receive their accreditation. 

Phase 6
Debrief

The final stage is for the interns to return to a resort for the last couple of days, reflecting on their project and providing feedback for how the projects can be improved.