One of Fiji's most celebrated sporting icons took delegates beyond the podium and into the lived reality of women in sport as former Fijiana Sevens captain and Olympian Rusila Nagasau introduced the screening of Breaking Ground during the Oceania Continental Session on the final day of the IWG Global Summit on Women & Sport.
As one of the documentary's principal subjects, Nagasau invited the global audience into a deeply personal story of resilience, leadership and social change—one that reflects not only her own journey but the experiences of generations of Pacific women who have challenged barriers to participate, lead and thrive through sport.
"People often see the medal first," Nagasau told delegates.
"They see the jersey, the stadium and the big moments. But when I think about my rugby journey, I think about home first."
She reflected on growing up in a Fijian village where rugby was everywhere, yet opportunities for girls were limited by expectations that the sport was "for boys".
Despite early resistance, including concerns from her own family, Nagasau persevered- eventually becoming one of Fiji's most accomplished rugby players, captaining the Fijiana Sevens and helping Fiji secure its historic Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo.
Introducing the documentary, Nagasau explained that Breaking Ground goes far beyond the story of rugby.
"It is about women pushing through barriers that existed for a very long time."
"It is about families, communities, sacrifice, culture and identity."
"It is about women continuing to show up, even when the systems around them were not designed for them."
She said the documentary tells an authentic Pacific story of courage and determination, revealing both the triumphs and the challenges experienced by women athletes while highlighting the importance of creating sporting environments that are safe, inclusive and equitable.
Drawing on her own experience, Nagasau reminded delegates that talent alone is never enough.
"There are talented girls in villages right across the Pacific," she said.
"But talent is not enough if the environment around them tells them they do not belong."
She challenged sporting organisations, governments and development partners to ensure women and girls have access to safe spaces, respectful leadership, equitable investment and opportunities to reach their full potential.
Reflecting on Fiji's Olympic success, Nagasau said one of her proudest moments was knowing that young girls across the Pacific could finally see women athletes from their region succeeding on the world's biggest stage.
"I hoped they were watching and thinking, 'Maybe I can do that too.'"
"But inspiration alone is not enough. Girls also need coaches who respect them, organisations that protect them, communities that encourage them and leaders willing to invest in them properly."
She reminded delegates that one negative experience can push a girl out of sport forever, costing communities not only an athlete, but future leadership, confidence and opportunity.
Speaking directly to policymakers, sporting leaders and development partners attending the Summit, Nagasau urged them to recognise the influence their decisions have on the experiences of women and girls in sport.
"The decisions you make shape whether women and girls feel welcomed, protected and given equal opportunities," she said.
"That responsibility is important."
The screening of Breaking Ground formed the centrepiece of the Oceania Continental Session, reinforcing how sport can be a powerful platform for challenging harmful social norms, advancing gender equality and helping prevent violence against women and girls.
The documentary premiere was proudly delivered by Oceania Rugby, UN Women and the Fiji Rugby Union, with the support of the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports and the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls. The film reflects a shared commitment to harnessing sport as a catalyst for women's leadership, safer communities and lasting social change across the Pacific.
As highlighted during the documentary's premiere:
"With the support of partners like UN Women, the Australian Government, PacificAus Sports, the European Union, Team Up and Fiji Rugby Union, we're only at the beginning of what will be a positive and transformative journey for women's rugby across the region."
The documentary also reflects the collaborative spirit of the Oceania Impact Network (OIN) - a Pacific-led partnership convened by the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) that brings together the Olympic Movement, governments, regional sporting organisations, civil society and development partners to advance gender equality in and through sport. Through trust-based partnerships and Pacific-led leadership, the Network is demonstrating that lasting systems change is achieved when communities are empowered to shape solutions that are culturally grounded, inclusive and sustainable.
As delegates concluded the IWG Global Summit, Breaking Ground stood as both a celebration of Pacific women's leadership and a powerful reminder that lasting change begins by investing in people, challenging harmful social norms and working together across sectors to ensure every woman and girl has the opportunity to participate, lead and thrive through sport.
