A full house at the Ba Town Council hall on the weekend heralded in a new era for Ba Rugby as the member clubs voted in a 10-strong Executive Committee to take the province forward to the next level.
Daksesh Patel, son of the late Vinod Patel, received warm applause when he addressed the meeting following his election as president unopposed.
“This is something my father started last year,” Mr Patel said.
“He really wanted Ba Rugby to grow and become a strong province; and my decision to accept the nomination was in his honour, to fulfil his wishes.
“Though my residence is in Sydney, I am in Fiji at least once a month for work, and I do want to spend more time in Ba, where I grew up, to carry on my father’s legacies in several community projects.
“This was my dad’s journey that I’m finishing for him.”
Also elected to the executive committee were four vice-presidents to represent the four corners of Ba – Vinivini Daulali (Savatu), Jemesa Toutou (Upper), Jo Vale (Central) and Noa Kautoga (Bulu).
As well as being part of the decision-making processes, these Vice Presidents will be the links between the Committee and the clubs in their respective regions.
“Communications can be an issue here at times,” Pastor Gaby Kautoga explained after being re-elected as secretary.
“With the vice presidents liaising with the clubs in their areas, we hope to have improved channels of communications, especially with the remote places.”
Sydney-based Luse Vula, who grew up in Vadravadra Village and has been supporting club rugby here for the last decade, was elected as director of Women’s Rugby.
“I’m very excited and can’t wait to get started,” Ms Vula, a former NSW Waratahs rep, said. “My role is not about coaching or managing, it’s liaising with the schools and other entities to create a better pathway for our young women’s ruggers.”
Vula will work closely with Malakai Vukinavanua, who manages the Island Pharmacy Ba women’s team and heads the women’s development program.
Former strategy planner Jeremy Duxbury was elected treasurer unopposed.
Another first for Ba Rugby was the addition to the committee of a men’s player rep – Sakiusa Narara – and a women’s player rep – Torika Tabua.
“These reps were chosen by their teammates to represent the needs and wishes of the players,” Gaby Kautoga said.
“We have seen how much damage can be caused when player issues in our national teams become public issues. We absolutely must ensure our players are included in the decision-making.”
In other matters discussed at the AGM, BRU appointed Deanm & Associates as its auditors.
The attendance of 40 people at the AGM included delegates from more than 20 clubs, the Ba Rugby Referees Association, sponsors BLK and Digicel, the chair of Ba Town Council Moshim Khan, Drua representative Ben Takubu and Fiji Rugby Union.
