What began as a two-game tour built on culture, community and Rugby League has already reshaped the future of the game in Vanuatu.
It wasn’t just the scoreboard, nor the quality of Rugby League on display that made the NSWRL Under 16s Koori team’s tour of Vanuatu so significant. It was what happened after the final siren - locals stepping forward asking how they could play, simply because they had seen, up close, how good the game of Rugby League could be.
For Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL), this was more than a tour. It was a turning point.
“The games were amazing – historical,” VRL Vice President David Lolo said.
“Definitely a pinnacle for the VRL history books to have this kind of level of Rugby League here in Vanuatu. It was the first of its kind.”
Lolo, who has been involved in growing the game locally for several years, understands the challenges of developing Rugby League in a country where it remains a minority sport.
“It has been quite challenging,” he said.
“But that’s the sport we love, and we try to do our best to grow it the best we can.”
The arrival of the NSWRL Under 16 Koori team – supported by coaches, staff, families, and NSWRL board members – provided a powerful boost. Across two matches, local players were exposed to a level of Rugby League rarely seen on the island, while the wider community witnessed what the game could become.
The impact was immediate.
After the first match alone, 10 new players committed to the game, turning up to play in the second and final tour game. By the end of the second game, men from the community were approaching Lolo, asking how they could join training sessions or help establish a men’s team.
“It was just great for our boys to really be thrown in the deep end against such a quality opposition,” Lolo said.
“There’s lots we can take away and learn from here, but we will digest that all over the coming weeks.”
Beyond the field, the tour delivered meaningful benefits for the local community. The travelling group of more than 30 players and staff took part in school visits, cultural exchanges and communitive activities.
“These are things that go a long way to building the profile of the sport,” Lolo explained.
“Not just for Rugby League, but for all Vanuatu sport.”
NRL First Nations Pathways and Partnerships Manager and NSWRL Under 16s Koori assistant coach Dean Widders said the visit represented exactly what development Rugby League should look like.
“It’s fantastic to be the first team to tour Vanuatu,” Widders said.
“You can see the game is trying to develop over here. There are people who are very passionate about Rugby League, and they want to develop it.”
While the impact on Rugby League in Vanuatu was historic, Widders believes the experience shaped the touring players just as deeply.
“I saw straight away the empathy and gratitude of the boys,” he said.
“The young people on this island - all people on this island - they’re so happy, grateful and live life to the fullest.
“I have been really impressed with the willingness of our boys to get involved and give back to this community, to humble themselves, to show respect, to be grateful and connect with people. Those lessons will stay with them for life, and it’ll help them a lot in their journeys.”
Lolo said the tour has laid the foundation for something greater than two matches of Rugby League.
“I want to say a really big shout out to NSWRL First Nations side and everyone who got in behind to make this possible,” he said.
“Thank you from the VRL and from the bottom of my heart. This is going to go down in the history books and something that we will look to hopefully build on for the coming years.”
