Rugby Dominates Sports Awards
The Fiji Rugby Union scooped seven out of the 11 awards at the Fiji Sports Awards at the Vodafone Arena in Suva last night.
Here are the list of winners.
- FIJI WATER COACH OF THE YEAR – GARETH BABER (Fiji Rugby Union)
Despite the immense public pressure and COVID- 19 disruptions, Gareth Baber successfully delivered Fiji’s second gold medal win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with a largely new group of players.
The Welshman’s record of 11 tournament wins in the HSBC World Sevens Series, including the Series title, surpassed his predecessor Ben Ryan’s record, of 9 tournament victories.
- SPORTS WORLD TECHNICAL OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR – TEVITA ROKOVERENI (Fiji Rugby Union)
Rokovereni ascended career heights as the first Fijian to officiate at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Seven’s Rugby competition, Rugby World Cup Sevens and Commonwealth Games last year.
He is a regular in the HSBC World 7’s Series circuit and in another first, Rokovereni officiated in the Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and Drua last year.
Amongst his many impressive achievements, Rokovereni is also a World Rugby Match Officiating Educator and is responsible for capacity building assessments for local referees in the country.
- JAD TRAVEL & HERTZ RENT A CAR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – SERA VUGAKOTO (Basketball Fiji)
Vugakoto is recognised for her valuable contribution in various capacities for the sport of Basketball in Fiji.
She has been instrumental in the expansion of the Bula Hoops children’s programme in Nadi, which registered more than 50 participants.
She also assisted in coordinating basketball matches, workshops and events both local and international. Vugakoto also assisted in the management of player benches and statistics during the International FIBA Melanesian Cup.
- FIJI TV SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH OF THE YEAR – SOPHIE RALULU (The Fiji Times)
The Sports photograph of the Year illustrate the emotions of triumph and desperation from Livai Ikanikoda and Suliano Volivoli at the Uprising 7’s finals.
The photo is recognized for its stunning clarity coupled with the creativity and precision skills of Sophie Ralulu to capture this photo in difficult weather conditions.
This photograph also featured on the front page of the Sunday Times on the 7th of February 2021. Photo Caption – Fiji selection captain Livai Ikanikoda beats the tackle of Suliano Volivoli at the Uprising 7s Final by Sophie Ralulu (The Fiji Times)
- ONOC HANISI ERASITO ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR – VELA NAUCUKIDI (Fiji Rugby Union):
A pioneer who is passionate for women’s rugby in Fiji, Naucukidi is recognised for her track record in the strategic development of the women’s game from local to global prominence, while also advocating for gender equality at Rugby House.
Naucukidi also managed the successful Fijiana 7’s team that created history by winning bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
- PARADISE BEVERAGES SPORTS ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR – FIJI RUGBY UNION:
The achievements of the Fiji Rugby Union on the world’s biggest stage during 2020 – 2022 is unrivalled in Fiji.
It is also testament to the leadership and development initiatives at all levels of the sport, pathways and elite coaches who have cultivated a culture of sporting excellence by transforming local players into world champions.
- ASCO MOTORS SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR – FIJI MEN’S RUGBY SEVENS TEAM:
The Fiji Men 7s team exceeded expectations by winning the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal. They were also crowned Rugby World Cup Sevens Champions after 17 years and won silver at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Tournament victories at the World Sevens Series round off their remarkable 2020 – 2022 season.
- TAPPOO YOUNG FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – ROBYN EASTGATE (Gymnastics Federation of Fiji):
Robyn Eastgate is a bright young star for the newly introduced sport of Gymnastics in Fiji and won a gold award at the PGAA Gymnastics Virtual International competition against competitors from Asia.
She juggled several roles in the sport, and as the Assistant Coach she assisted the team in winning 7 gold awards and 9 top 6 all-round finishes.
She also received world class training at two-time FIG World Artistic Gymnastics Champion Carlos Yulo’s gym with World Cup and FIG judge Alena Ruis in Manila.
- VODAFONE YOUNG MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – MACIU VALENTINE TAURIWAU (Weightlifting Fiji):
Tauriwai’s progress in the sport of weightlifting has been swift. He won all competitions at national level in his category and was awarded the best all round male athlete award. As a newcomer to the sport, Tauriwau impressed his peers when he won a gold medal at the 2021 Oceania Youth Online Championships.
- FIJI TATTSLOTTO SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR – RUSILA NAGASAU (Fiji Rugby Union):
Rusila Nagasau is a leader and a source of inspiration to many young women in Fiji.
She captained the Fijiana 7s to their first bronze medal win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Nagasau is also the first player in Fiji to play in 2 World Cups in the same year, in both the sevens and fifteens code last year.
She was also Fiji’s flag bearer at the Tokyo Olympics, Commonwealth Games Queens Baton relay bearer and Ambassador for Get in to Rugby Plus.
- FIJI TATTSLOTTO SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR – JERRY TUWAI (Fiji Rugby Union):
There are not enough words to aptly describe Tuwai.
One would think the World Rugby 7’s Player of the Decade award was the summit of his career but in 2020 as the Fiji 7s captain, he set a new benchmark by being the only player in the world to win 2 gold medals at the Olympic Games rugby sevens competition. Tuwai’s contribution to Fiji’s Rugby World Cup Sevens win in 2022 plus victories at the World Sevens Series re-affirm his status as the World’s Greatest Sevens Player of All Time.
Story By: Leone Cabenatabua
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
