Cruise reward for QVS champs

A mother’s dedication at work had her employer treating members of the Queen Victoria Knights Under-19 team to a day cruise on Tuesday.

The gallant QVS Knights snatched the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League U19 title after tipping neighbours Ratu Kadavulevu Eels 28-26 in the U19 final at the 4R Stadium in Ba last Saturday.

Elated mother Perina Likuceva has been employed by the Kaiwai Watersports Fiji (kwf) the last 17 years, could not hold back her tears when management told her that they would treat the Matavatucou Knights with the day cruise from Marriott to Cloudbreak then lunch at the Sandbank for their win.

Her son Year 13 Jonacani Tulivou a new kid on the block at the all-boys boarding school is a member of the winning side.

Tulivou is more an extended member of KWF as mum Likuceva babysat surfing tourism operator Uri Kurob’s children whose eldest is 17 and now attending school in Australia.

With the Kurob children grown up, Likuceva is part time chef on the cruise.

Tulivou had attended Nadi Sangam School last year. Kurob had earlier sponsored the team’s muscle vests.

“The boys deserved a break after weeks of preparation and camp. It was a big treat from KWF and as parents our sons deserved the five-hour programme,” Likuceva said.

The 45-pax group consisted of the 30 players, seven parents and teachers which included the coaches and team management.

Another parent Katarina Verevakawalu said the 45-member group met at the Nadi Bus Stand and were picked up for Marriott Sigatoka then onto the cruise to Cloudbreak then to the Sandbank and return.

“It was a well-deserved wind down, especially after a hard fought victory against RKS,” Verevakawalu said.

In the other grades Nasinu Panthers claimed the Under-15 title after defeating Sigatoka Mission Knights while Ba Methodist were winners after beating Sigatoka Methodist in the Under-17 grade.

karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj