The Fiji Rugby Referees Association is set to celebrate the invaluable contributions of its match officials with its first-ever Awards Ceremony on Saturday, December 20, at the Vodafone Arena in Suva. This landmark event will feature 12 categories, including the prestigious awards for the best male and female referees of the year.
At a recent press conference held at the Fiji Rugby Union’s office, the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Referees Association, Talimo Waqa, expressed gratitude to the Fiji Rugby Union for approving the ceremony. He emphasized the close-knit community of referees, which comprises 23 associations throughout Fiji, and shared hopes that the awards would inspire the recruitment of more referees in the future.
“Our current numbers aren’t enough, and we continue to seek out new referees as we aim to elevate our standards,” Waqa stated. He believes that recognizing achievements through such awards will motivate individuals to join the profession and improve their skills for future competitions.
In collaboration with the Fiji Sports Council, which has partnered as a major sponsor for the event, Waqa acknowledged the support received from its acting chief executive Gilbert Vakalalabure and operations manager Litia Senibulu. Vakalalabure noted that this initiative aligns with their aim to contribute to the development of sports in Fiji and affirmed their commitment to supporting the referees.
As preparations for the ceremony are underway, the organizing committee is reaching out to potential sponsors to further enhance the event. The first corporate sponsor, Movements International Fiji, has already committed to supporting the festivities, with their finance and human resources director, Latika Devi, attending the conference.
This awards ceremony signifies a positive step for Fiji rugby, highlighting the integral role of referees in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the game. By fostering a culture of appreciation and respect for these officials, the event aims to elevate the standards of officiating in the sport. This initiative also parallels recent efforts across various sports in Fiji, aiming to recognize officials and encourage wider participation, particularly among women in refereeing roles.
The establishment of such recognition serves not only as a celebration of past achievements but also as a hopeful outlook for the future of rugby officiating in Fiji, inspiring new generations to engage in the sport and pursue excellence.