16/11/2025
On Saturday, 18 October, FASANOC’s Smash Down Barriers Program and Athlete Community Engagement (ACE) Team joined the Ketetemane Methodist Church Women’s Fellowships for their monthly gathering, hosted by the Naouatao Women’s Fellowship. This month’s event centred on the themes “Celebrating the Importance of Women” and “Pinktober Awareness.”
The gathering brought together women from across the Ketetemane Methodist Church network (Rabi Islanders living between Galoa and Nausori) for a full day of worship, learning, and participation. Proceedings began with a church service, followed by Pinktober information sessions focused on early detection, support, and available community resources.
For FASANOC, the day offered a valuable opportunity to integrate health awareness with inclusive physical activity through our outreach programs. Our contribution focused on simple, accessible sports activities designed to promote fitness, connection, and confidence among participants of varied ages and abilities.
Working in collaboration with the host fellowship, the Smash Down Barriers coaches and ACE Team facilitated structured warm-ups, low-impact games, and cooperative team challenges. Activities were selected to be inclusive, requiring minimal equipment and accommodating different fitness levels. Participation remained strong across fellowships, with groups rotating through activity stations. The integration of sport with the Pinktober theme reinforced practical steps toward active living as part of women’s health.
A highlight of the day was a session led by the ACE Champion, who shared the
Olympic Values of Excellence, Respect, and Friendship. Participants were encouraged to apply these principles not only in sport but in their daily lives. The message aligned closely with the event’s themes—emphasizing self-care, mutual support, and striving to be the best version of ourselves.
A key element of the awareness segment was a heartfelt testimony by Mrs. Aripo Aaron, a cancer survivor, who spoke about the importance of early action, faith, and community support throughout her journey. Her story underscored the value of regular health checks, informed decision-making, and relying on family and church networks for encouragement. The testimony grounded the day’s health messages and inspired meaningful conversations during and after the session.
Engagement remained high throughout the program. Participants interacted across fellowship groups, with many noting that combining awareness sessions with light physical activity made the health messages more relatable and practical.
From our perspective, the program effectively supported three key objectives:
• Health literacy: reinforcing Pinktober messages through structured discussion
• Inclusion through sport: providing accessible activities for participants of all abilities
• Community connection: strengthening relationships across fellowships and partner groups
We extend our thanks to the Naouatao Women’s Fellowship for hosting and coordinating the gathering, and to all Ketetemane Methodist Church Women’s Fellowships for their enthusiastic participation. FASANOC remains committed to aligning Smash Down Barriers and ACE outreach with community-led initiatives that prioritise women’s health and inclusion.
We look forward to future collaborations that bring together awareness, activity, and Olympic Values in a unified and practical program format.
Team Up Australian High Commission, Fiji
