Team Up workshop to boost safe sport practices and improve sport for development programming in Nauru

To further strengthen safe sport practices and improve sport for development programming in Nauru, representatives from Team Up, the Australian Government’s sport for development program in the Asia-Pacific region, recently conducted a week-long Sport 2 Life and Safeguarding workshop at the Sports Complex in Yaren. Attending the workshop were more than 30 sporting representatives, including members from the Ministry of Sports, Nauru Olympic Committee and staff from the Team Up-supported Nauru Rugby Inclusion Impact program. 

The Sport 2 Life workshop focused on providing methods on developing and improving the delivery of sport for development programs. The aim was to demonstrate how making simple adjustments to sporting activities can greatly affect lives and promote positive behaviours among both coaches and participants, which extend beyond the field of play. Additionally, the safeguarding workshop concentrated on enhancing awareness and understanding on gender-based violence and child protection to create a safe environment in sports, particularly for girls, women, and people with disability. This included looking at practical tools such as risk assessments and how to implement safeguarding policies.

Speaking at the opening day of the workshop, Australian High Commissioner to Nauru, Sara Moriarty, highlighted the importance of sports organisations maximising their activities to help reach those who are often marginalised. 

“The Australian Government through Team Up is excited to be working with our partners in Nauru to ensure people of all gender and ability get the opportunity to realise their full potential through sport. As the only Team Up-supported program in Nauru currently, the Nauru Rugby Inclusion Impact program has made significant strides. A notable impact is the increased confidence among women across all levels of the sport, breaking the stereotype that rugby union is only for men."

"For instance, three women now serve on the Nauru Rugby Union board, and an all-female management staff is in place for the Nauru girls rugby U18 team. This marks a promising future for women's rugby in Nauru, and we're proud to be supporting this.” 

Team Leader for the Team Up program, Andrew Lepani, said, “We're excited to see sporting bodies in Nauru embracing inclusion and using their platforms to ensure that everyone can participate and succeed."

"The workshop is about working with our partners to share new methods and approaches to enhancing their programs, particularly around improving gender and disability inclusion in sport."

"We have learnt a lot from our partners in Nauru, and we look forward to more collaborations.”

According to Jone Caginilotu, Operations Manager for Nauru Rugby Union and Manager for the Nauru Rugby Inclusion Impact program, the workshop has shed light on how sporting bodies in Nauru can make the most impact through partnerships.  

"As the only Team Up program in Nauru, this workshop has shown us how we can work better with other sports groups to make sports safer and more accessible to all. It has also reminded us of our own goals."

"Our program is helping to advance gender and disability inclusion, not just in Nauru, but across the Pacific region.”

With the Australian Government extending the Team Up program until June 2025, there are more upcoming opportunities for collaborations to assist sporting organisations in Nauru.