Joeli Qio’s dedication to rugby refereeing over the past 19 years was celebrated at the Fiji Rugby Referees Awards last Saturday, where he was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. As the current president of the Lautoka Rugby Referees Association, Qio expressed his surprise and gratitude when his name was announced by Geoffrey Smith, the director of external affairs and community engagement for FIJI Water.
“I was lost for words. I didn’t believe that this award would be meant for me, but I dedicate the award to my fellow members,” Qio shared.
His journey in refereeing began in 2006, driven by a desire to improve the standard of officiating he observed at the time. Qio noted that many referees were older and were not meeting the expectations set by the players, which led him to leave his playing career for officiating. “I wanted to make things fair for the teams that dedicate their time to the sport,” he explained.
As he approaches two decades in the profession, Qio cited sharing his knowledge as a significant highlight of his career. He referenced the achievements of Lavenia Racaca, an international referee he has mentored, who recently officiated at the HSBC SVNS and the Olympic Games in France. “Even though I never reached there, I did something for someone to reach that level,” Qio remarked.
In addition to mentoring individual referees, Qio has been actively coaching young officials in his association, focusing on vital skills such as fitness, knowledge of the game, position of play, and proper running lines during matches. His commitment to developing the next generation of referees underscores his lasting impact on rugby in Fiji, promising a brighter future for the sport in the region.