Date set for Referees’ Award Night

The Fiji Rugby Referees Association (FRRA), in partnership with the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) and the Fiji Sports Council, is set to host its first-ever Referees Awards Night, celebrating the dedication and excellence of rugby referees and match officials across the country. The event is set for December 20. 

Speaking at the launch, World Rugby regional training manager and interim FRRA chair, Talemo Waqa, expressed his gratitude to FRU and the Fiji Sports Council for supporting the initiative, describing the event as “a new chapter” in recognising referees’ vital role in the game. 

“We cannot have any rugby match without referees. They take the brunt of all, especially from losing teams, but they ensure fairness and integrity in every game,” said Waqa. 

The awards' aim, he said, is to motivate referees, strengthen development pathways, and recruit new officials to meet growing domestic rugby demands. 

Fiji currently has 23 referee associations nationwide, with over 80 active referees, including several women officiating at top levels.

Fiji has already achieved international recognition in the sevens format, with referees such as Lavenia Racaca, Tevita Rokovereni, and James Bolabiu officiating at Olympic Games and World Cup Sevens. They have followed the steps of former top referees like Rod Jepsen, Sefanaia Koroi, Laikini Colati, Albert Sanday and Takape Volavola. 

The next goal, Waqa said, is to elevate Fiji’s referees into Super Rugby and Test match levels.

The FRRA, working closely with FRU’s High Performance Unit, continues to review performance, provide coaching support, and uphold accountability when addressing match complaints. Waqa emphasised that while referees are human and errors occur, ongoing training and video analysis help ensure accuracy and confidence.

The Fiji Sports Council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting referee development and creating clear pathways for match officials nationwide.

“We are here to develop and support every pathway created for referees and umpires. This awards night marks a day they will always remember,” said Fiji Sports Council chief executive officer Ratu Gilbert Vakalalabure.