Working in live events, you get used to things not always going exactly to plan. But stepping into a completely different environment brings a new layer to that.
Our work with Fiji Sports Council at the Tuckers National Games, held at HFC Bank Stadium, was one of those moments. A new client, a new setting and a different way of working, but with the same expectation to deliver a safe, well-managed event.
The Tuckers National Games are the national athletics finals for primary school children, with schools travelling from across Fiji to take part. It’s a big occasion, not just in scale, but in what it represents, which naturally brings a lot of energy, and a lot of people, into one space.
The brief was clear in principle, even if the environment required some flexibility. The client was looking for a well-controlled event, with strong crowd management, clear access points and a reliable way of handling ticket sales and revenue. Accuracy around ticketing and post-event reconciliation was just as important as what was happening on the ground.
To support that, EP Team, working in collaboration with Tribal Risks, focused first on the people delivering the event. Local security and stewarding teams were trained to operate to professional standards that, for many, were completely new. That process was as much about building confidence as it was about procedures, creating a consistent way of working that could be relied on once the event was live.
Koresi Tabuya, Group Delivery Director at EP Team, spearheaded this project and was vital in the success of the training and execution of the event.
Looking back on the event, Koresi said “From the very first course to standing inside the stadiums of our beloved Fiji, we’ve witnessed hearts transformed, confidence restored, and people discovering hope again. The students we teach are not just learning security; they are rebuilding their futures. This experience hasn’t been easy, it has come with challenges, mountains to climb, and even some potholes (literally and spiritually). However, these challenges have reminded us all why we are here: to raise the standard, bring change, and serve with humility”
On site, the role quickly expanded across multiple areas. Teams were responsible for managing the ticket office, handling large volumes of cash for admissions, overseeing access control in and out of the venue, carrying out bag and body searches at entry points, and maintaining crowd control within the stadium itself. Alongside this, EP provided a bespoke ticketing system that supported both advance and on-the-day sales, helping to bring more structure and visibility to how tickets were issued, tracked and reconciled.
As with many projects in new environments, one of the challenges was how information moved across the site, which meant decisions often needed to be made based on what was happening in the moment rather than what had been planned in advance.
That’s where our experience comes into its own. Not in applying a fixed approach, but in being able to read situations, communicate clearly and make small adjustments that keep things moving. The focus on the ground was creating a sense of calm and control, even when the environment felt busy.
The event itself ran as it should, with strong crowd control in place and a more structured approach to ticketing, access and revenue management. Just as importantly, it demonstrated how quickly teams can adapt when given the right support, and how effective a joined-up approach can be, even in unfamiliar environments.
For EP Team, this project marked a unique milestone. Travelling internationally to deliver services in a new environment, while supporting an event model not previously implemented in Fiji, provided both opportunity and challenge.
Reflecting on the experience, Molly Howley-Bumford shared her thoughts on this project:
“What an incredible, surreal, life-changing experience Fiji was. Travelling halfway across the world, stepping into a completely new environment, and being part of something that had never been implemented there before… it still doesn’t feel real. It’s one of those moments I know I’ll look back on for years and think I’m so grateful I said yes. From the culture, the warmth, the kindness, the laughter, the sunsets, the food, the shared challenges, the teamwork… every single moment has left a mark. I left Fiji with a full heart, new perspectives, and an appreciation for what can happen when you push yourself outside your comfort zone.”
Working in Fiji was an important reminder that while every event is different, the fundamentals don’t really change. Clear communication, well-trained teams and the ability to adapt will always carry you a long way. The context might shift, but the way you approach it is what makes the difference.