THE McDonald’s Fiji Fijian Drua Women may have fallen one step short of the Super Rugby Women’s title this season.
Fijian Drua chief executive officer Jeff Miller believes the team’s greatest achievement extends far beyond the rugby field.
Speaking during the Drua Women’s Annual Presentation Night at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Nadi on Tuesday night, Miller praised the players for delivering a season that had inspired a nation and transformed lives.
He reminded the audience that the club’s vision was built on three pillars – winning Super Rugby titles, inspiring a nation and changing lives for the better.
While the elusive championship slipped away in the home grand final against the NSW Waratahs, Miller said the team had achieved the other two goals in remarkable fashion.
“What you’ve achieved this year is nothing short of extraordinary,” he said.
“You’ve won a Super Rugby minor premiership, you’ve inspired a nation and you’ve changed lives for the better.”
Miller highlighted the historic achievement of Fiji hosting its first-ever Super Rugby Women’s grand final, describing it as a milestone for women’s rugby in Fiji. More than 4,000 spectators packed the venue, setting a new attendance record for a standalone women’s rugby match in Fiji.
He said everyone associated with the club should be proud of the landmark occasion.
“It showed that the team has captured the hearts of our people,” Miller said.
He added that young girls across Fiji now had role models they could identify with players from villages just like theirs who had proven it was possible to compete on rugby’s biggest stage.
“That is changing lives for the better,” he said. Miller thanked head coach Mike Legge and the coaching and management staff for guiding the team through another memorable campaign before paying tribute to the players.
“You truly are a special group,” he said.
“You’ve represented your families, your villages, your supporters and most importantly your country with humility, courage and pride.”
He said their dedication, belief in one another and relentless work ethic had inspired thousands of young girls to dream bigger, adding that this could become the team’s greatest legacy.
