A woman of humility, excellence and heart.
This is how Alumeci Sachs, the president of the Suva Netball Association, described the late netball titan Unaisi Rokoura, who passed away in a drowning incident last weekend.
Sachs said working with her a privilege and an inspiring experience and highlighted how her passion for the sport ranged from sharing her knowledge of it to encouraging local coaches like herself to grow and excel within their respective groups.
“She will be remembered not just as one of Fiji’s finest coaches and mentors, but as a woman of humility, excellence and heart, her legacy will live on in every player and coach she inspired,” Sachs said.
She remembered how Rokoura commanded a calm and dignifying presence, a private individual and respected people’s opinions even if it differed since her focus, however, remained on how coaches could help lift the standard of netball in Fiji.
Sachs was the coach of the Nasinu Netball’s under-21 team when she first worked alongside her in her capacity as Suva coach and then Lautoka coach Taina Rabitu from 2007 to 2009.
When Sachs was appointed assistant coach of the World Youth U21 national netball team and introduced into Netball Fiji’s Coaching Development Program, she recalled how Rokoura was a beacon of guidance in these spaces.
“Coach Una was a guiding figure in this space – her leadership, humility, and deep understanding of the game left a lasting impression on all of us.
“She was always willing to share her knowledge and mentor emerging coaches and her commitment to the growth of netball in Suva and Fiji lasted till 2025.”
She also extended her gratitude to the Rokoura family for backing her throughout her life and her sporting career.
