The country’s first ever Fiji Rugby Awards created to recognise local talent will be held at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay Convention Centre in Lami on December 16.

There will be nine main awards for  players of the year in 7s and 15s for the male and female categories, primary schools and secondary schools, best coach, best team and rugby administrator.

Speaking at the launching yesterday Fiji Rugby Union’s chairman Francis Kean said there will also be a Life Time Achievement Award.

“This is for a player who had made his or her mark for Fiji Rugby as an ambassador to the game and nation,” he said.

“Fiji Rugby is proud to announce the launch of our very own Fiji Rugby Awards Night next month. Together with our partners, we are excited to celebrate the best of Fiji Rugby through the various awards.

“This is an event that we as the rugby family in Fiji want to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to our players,  supporters and administrators who have contributed immensely to the growth of the sport not only in 2016 but also in the past.”

The event will also engage the local community through the Vodafone People’s Choice Awards which offers the people of Fiji an opportunity to vote for their favourite Vodafone Flying Fijian (15s), Vodafone Fiji (7s), Telecom Fijiana (7s female), domestic competition player and best coach.

Meanwhile, Vodafone sponsorship manager Adriu Vakarau added the company will be opening lines for rugby fans of Fiji to vote for the favourite player in the assigned categories.

“There will be four nominees in each category and the nominee that receives the most number of votes win the Vodafone People’s Choice Trophy as well as a Samsung 7 mobile phone,” he said.

Edited by Osea Bola

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