Rokovereni, Racaca top inaugural referee awards

Top local referee’s Tevita Rokovereni and Lavenia Racaca were awarded the Best Male and Female Referee of the Year respectively at the inaugural Fiji Rugby Referee Awards Night at Vodafone Arena, Suva last Saturday night. 

Rokovereni acknowledged divine intervention for winning the Male Referee of the Year. 

“I want to thank Fiji Rugby for setting up something like this for the rugby referees,” he said.

“Special thanks to James Bolabiu, his vision for the referees in Fiji. Tonight (Saturday) was an accumulation of that.”

Rokovereni said Fiji has adopted a tier one mindset with the recent promotion. 

“This is the start of something and the young men and woman are the real winners. They deserve this award,” he said.

“I stand on the shoulders of the giants and this award goes out to all the referees.”

The Namara, Tailevu lad has officiated at two Olympic Games; first at the 2021 Games inTokyo, Japan in 2021 and Paris, France in 2024.

He became the second Fijian to officiate in the HSBC 7s tournament final at the Vancouver 7s earlier this year.

High Performance referee manager James Bolabiu was the first Fijian referee to officiate a final at the Hong Kong 7s in 2009.

Rokovereni has been officiating as a referee for about eight years.

The support system from family and friends has been the driving force for Racaca.

“I didn’t think that I’d win this award. When they called out my name, I teared up as I remembered my mother who is not here,” Racaca said.

“I vividly recall my upbringing back home which I appreciate.”

The 30-year-old Nanukuloa, Ra lass was a former rugby player who featured for the Marist Seahawks coached by the late Elenoa Kunatuba.

“I saw a friend who was a referee back in 2015 and that motivated me to try it as well,” she said.

“I asked my uncle to be a referee and join them. He told me to join them in Lautoka.”

Racaca added she took up the challenge as refereeing was a male dominated field.

“I worked so hard that at one time I topped the charts for being the fittest referee even against the men,” she said.

“My dream is to build up the upcoming referees. I want to guide them and help them improve their performance.”

Racaca has been refereeing for 10 years since 2015 after sustaining a rugby injury.

“The highlight of my career is officiating at the Olympics in Paris, France in 2024,” she said.

Award Winners 

• Rookie/Newcomer of the Year: Tevita Seletui – Lautoka Rugby Union
• Most Improved Referee of the Year: Sitiveni Raitamata – Vatukoula
• Mentor of the Year: Atama Matauloki – Lautoka
• Referee Coach of the Year: Aisake Drekeni,
• Best Assistant Referee of the Year: Maretino Koroivuki – Suva
• Referee Association Spirit Award: Lautoka Referee Association
• Referee Volunteer Support of the Year: Alisi Tabu
• Referee Personality of the Year: Josaia Vakatavitavi – Suva
• Outstanding Contribution to Refereeing: Koini Vuli
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Joeli Qio – Lautoka
• Oceania Referee Special Award (Female): Meresiana Savenaca
• Oceania Referee Special Award (Male): David Vosalevu
• FRU Special Recognition of the Year: James Bolabiu
• Female Referee of the Year: Lavenia Racaca
• Male Referee of the Year: Tevita Rokovereni