Sportsman of the Year: Alan Muir

Vodafone Flying Fijians scrum coach Alan Muir is our Sportsman of the Year.

What used to be a problematic area for the Vodafone Flying Fijians in the past is now a strong platform where they held their own against England, Wales and Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Muir’s Vodafone Fijian scrum achieved what no other Fijian team has achieved before parity with top Tier One teams.

Not only did they hold tier one nation scrums, they totally bulldozed through  sending the opposition forwards onto their backs on the ground.

Over the last years of Fijian rugby the scrum has always been a target for our opponents. Now the Fijians have shown that they can take the heat in the forward battles and are ready to play rugby at the highest level.

Muir has been conducting scrum clinics and also assisted the Vodafone Fijian side in their scrum which helped them to qualify for the 2016 Junior World Rugby Junior Trophy in Zimbabwe.

Sportswoman of the Year: Ana Roqica

The Telecom Fijiana captain Ana Maria Roqica continues to stamp her mark in the women’s rugby arena.

She continues to lead her team in achieving their goals in every tournament. Being a veteran player of the side, Roqica leads with example and continues to help strengthen women’s rugby and develop new players.

The Telecom Fijiana side this year booked a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Ben Ryan

The Vodafone Fijian 7s head coach took over the role on September 20, 2013 and has achieved so much for the country and the achievements have elevated our profile and image to a new level. Some notable achievements this year; First Win Las Vegas (2014-15); Winning the 2014 -15 World Sevens Series resulting in the automatic qualification for 2016 Rio Olympics.

Roy Krishna

Krishna has the weight of an entire country on his slender shoulders.Krishna is only the third Pacific islander to play in the A-League, following Solomon Islanders Henry Fa’arodo (Perth Glory, 2005-06) and Benjamin Totori (Phoenix, 2012-13).He became the first Pacific islander to score in the A-League when he netted against Melbourne Heart

Banuve Tabakaucoro

Proves himself as the fastest man in the Pacific defending his gold medal in the 200m and 100m events in the 2015 Pacific Games in PNG.

Josaia Rabele

His capacity as FNRL development manager He continues to spread the gospel of rugby league  to  villages and assist in the development of local talents for national duties.

Divela Naucikidi

As a Fiji Rugby Women development officer Naucikidi continues to assist women in the development  of the sport in schools, various communities and played major role in the establishment of the Elite Player Pathway Academy for 29 inductees.

Naucikidi was one of many that assisted in the revival of women’s rugby in the country.

Maria Lutua

The Fijian Pearls goal shooter and vice captain contributed immensely to her team’s achievement this year which includes winning gold medal in Papua New Guinea during the Pacific Games, and the World Netball championship in Sydney. Lutua has recently signed on with the Yorkshire Jets for the Vitality Netball Super league 2016 season in the United Kingdom.

Naomi Bakani

Naomi Bakani from Fiji Karate recent achievement was winning three gold medals for Team Fiji Karate at the Pacific Games.

Mere Rodan  

Participating in the 2015 Pacific Games for the first time Rodan  was lost for words after winning her first Pacific Games gold medal in table tennis Para women single sitting event.

Feedback:  anasilinir@fijisun.com.fj