Rokoura remembered as netball legend and gem

Former Fiji Pearls captain and coach Unaisi Rokoura would be remembered as a netball legend who gave her all for the sport. 

Hundreds farewelled Rokoura at the Nabua Methodist church on Saturday before she was buried at the Lovonilase cemetery, Suva. 

Delivering her eulogy, Permanent Secretary for Foreign AffairsRaijieli Taga said the late coach lived her life well and was a decorated netball player. 

They grew up together in Nabua and shared many memories since childhood; she was commonly known as Una. 

“Nabua is a notorious neighbourhood, however there are times when a gem rises out of Nabua – I can say that Una was one of them,” Taga said. 

She also thanked her parents for their upbringing and raising a daughter who was a legend. 

Rokoura hailed from Navutu, Navuakece, Naitasiri and shared maternal links to Nasigasiga, Dreketi, Macuata. 

Her brother army Colonel Aseri Rokoura said while she has her own cheeky ways, she was always fond of her nephew and nieces.

He said their home was always open to netball players as both Una and his late mother were passionate netballers. 

“Everyone knew Una, they did now know he had a brother so I was always called “Una’s brother,” he said.

“Netball has been part of her life and our family and we will continue that.” 

Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki said Rokoura’s passing was a huge loss to the netball fraternity in Fiji, the region and to the world. 

Sorovaki said tributes flowed in throughout the week from various national netball bodies and former international reps including Netball Tonga, Netball New Zealand, Netball Australia, World Netball and former Silver Ferns Irene van Dyk. 

She added Rokoura contributed immensely to netball and its development. 

The late Rokoura represented Fiji in six Pacific Games, two Commonwealth Games, and two Netball World Championships. She earned her debut at 17 and captained the Fiji Pearls from 1997 to 2006. Her leadership on the court was matched by her versatility off it. She also represented Fiji in hockey, rugby 15s, basketball, and beach volleyball, showcasing a rare athleticism and commitment to sport.

Rokoura, 47, was swept away by strong currents on October 18 while accompanied by a 34-year-old woman and two others while collecting fresh water mussels near Navuso Agricultural School, Nausori. 

Meanwhile, in paying tribute to Rokoura’s passing, who Silver Ferns interim coach Yvette McCausland-Durie worked alongside as her assistant at the 2023 Netball World Cup, the Australian Diamonds and New Zealand teams wore black arm bands as a mark of respect during their Constellation Cup match on Wednesday. 

Rokoura was survived by her father Tomu Rokoura, brother Aseri, sister-in-law Lusi and her nieces and nephews.