Robinsons Sponsors Royal Irish Regiment

Robinsons was delighted to Sponsor the Royal Irish Regiment on their recent charity rugby tournament to raise funds for a local Fiji Primary School.

The Royal Irish Regiment has a significant serving Fijian community, with many soldiers joining the British Army and moving to the UK, before serving on operations around the world.

A former pupil of Natasura Primary School in Kadavu Fiji, Corporal Koroivui came up with the idea of a charity rugby sevens tournament to help raise funds for the school. In need of financial assistance, the school was in a bad state of disrepair and had a shortage of supplies for the pupils. This struck a chord with the Regiment as several current and former members previously attended the school.  

Corporal Koroivui arranged for a team from the regiment to travel to Fiji to compete in the tournament. This significant trip was welcomed by the Fijians. For many, this was the first trip home in a number of years. The money raised from the tournament ticket sales was donated to the Primary School.

Robinsons’ Chairman Jim Brown and Managing Director Ryan Brown’s family link to serving officer Major Wes Brown. They happily supported the regiment with funding for clothing and equipment, providing them with playing and training kits.

Major Wes Brown said;

“Given the significant cost associated with taking the team to Fiji, sponsorship support from Robinsons was crucial to ensure the success of the trip. The tournament was a fantastic initiative to raise funds for vital facilities in need of assistance, and to reward soldiers for continued commitment to operations overseas.”

The trip was a fantastic success, raising significant funding to support work on the facilities. The team was also able to visit a memorial for Sergeant Labalaba. Talaiasi Labalaba BEM was a British-Fijian sergeant in the SAS who was involved in the Battle of Mirbat on 19 July 1972. Labalaba initially served in the British Army in the Royal Ulster Rifles. The decorated soldier served with the regiment in the past. The team also spent time with families and communities across Fiji.

The team reached the quarter-finals of the tournament.