Bemana village in Navosa, located about two hours from Sigatoka Town, is reigniting its passion for sports through the revival of the Heni-Ivi Netball and Rugby Club. After years without competition, the club is now providing young villagers with opportunities to play, compete, and represent their community.
At the recent FMF Navosa Netball and Rugby 7s competition, both the Heni-Ivi netball and rugby teams made remarkable strides by reaching the semi-finals, a significant milestone for a club in the midst of revitalization. Although neither team advanced to the finals, their performances underscored a clear message: Bemana is making a comeback.
The netball team narrowly missed the final after a close match against Qwalimavua, ending in a score of 9-7. Meanwhile, the rugby team faced a heart-wrenching defeat with a score of 15-14 against Corika in their semi-final clash. Despite the losses, netball manager Vani Narabe emphasized the importance of the team’s representation over the results.
Narabe noted that the Heni-Ivi netball club, which was reestablished after a 20-year hiatus, has a goal of elevating the standard of netball in the village while providing young girls with a platform to showcase their talents. Despite facing challenges such as limited coaching resources, the team has trained diligently and demonstrated their commitment on the court. The squad consists entirely of village girls, most of whom are students at St Teresa College, with some still in Year 8 at primary school.
“Our aim is to take this club to another level and showcase the young talent we have here,” Narabe stated.
On the rugby side, manager Basilio Livono highlighted that the club is also in a revitalization phase, having resumed activity after a five-year hiatus. Formerly known as Seniivi Rugby Club, it has transformed into Heni-Ivi with a renewed focus on youth development. The current rugby squad is comprised mainly of Under-20 players, who attend Natabua High School, Ratu Kadavulevu School, and St Teresa College in Bemana.
The FMF Navosa 7s marked only their second tournament, following their debut at the Nabua 7s in Narata village a few weeks prior. The team is now setting its sights on the Yasawa 7s next week.
While the semi-final losses were difficult, Livono remarked that the experience gained is invaluable for the team’s development. For the small village of Bemana, the revival of the Heni-Ivi Netball and Rugby Club signifies more than just competition; it is a source of direction for young people, a means to rebuild community pride, and a testament that talent and determination can emerge from even the most remote areas of Navosa.