The 2025 Vodafone Deans competition will officially begin on Saturday with the respective zone compemtitions at various venues.
After getting its approval by the Ministry of Education and the games sanctioned by the Fiji Rugby Union, the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union is ready to roll out its season.
FSSRU vice president development Biu Colati revealed this during a joint press conference yesterday at Rugby House.
“Officially I could say that yes that we have sorted and got all the approvals from the MoE and from the FRU.
“I would like to thank the acting CEO for taking us through this process, one that was needed to be done so that everyone that participates in this game is safe and sound when it comes to issues that might come up later.
“The games for all the four major zones are going to kick start this Saturday and everyone is excited that the Deans is happening again in 2025,” he said.
Schools had begun their preparations before time through friendly matches either locally or against overseas schools.
“Looking at the past years, I think this year looking at the preparations towards the Deans, it has been taken to another level.
“We’ve got probably a record number of schools traveling overseas just for their preparation.
“The preparations that were done locally especially because of friendly matches, that one was very high this year. So, right now I can say that yes, the preparation this year has never been as high as what we’ve seen and I’d like to thank all these schools for that,” Colati added.
He also assured that grounds won’t be limited to matches.
“For FSSRU, we’ve never faced ground shortages because we are talking about schools and the grounds they own. Everything as far as logistics are confirmed have been taken care of by all the zones.
“We are just receiving reports on all those preparations, nothing has come up on grounds because we have never faced ground shortages as far as zone competitions are confirmed and I’m sure that will not be an issue this year also,” he added.
Fiji Rugby Union acting chief executive Koli Sewabu also confirmed that they released funds to the FSSRU yesterday to ensure that the respective school zones begin with their competitions this week.
Fiji Rugby Union acting chief executive Koli Sewabu (middle) is flanked by Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union vice-presidents Savenaca Muamua (left) and Biu Colati (far right) during a press conference yesterday. Picture: SOPHIA RALULU
