The FMF Suva women’s rugby teams were celebrated on Saturday night for yet another successful season in the ANZ Marama Championship.
Suva bagged three trophies this season with both the under-20 and senior teams clinching the Marama trophies.
The senior side also claimed the newly introduced Pio Bosco Trophy.
Head coach Tavaita Rowati who is the second female accredited level 3 coach in the country shared the team’s values in maintaining standard and consistency since winning the championship in 2022.
“Getting the right staff who can coach women and nurture them with the basics. We are working here for free, its voluntary and people who are passionate about the sport, passionate about women playing rugby and we set a goal of winning all three championships.
“Standard is really important, to have that you need to have the financial backing, which was a challenge for us, but we were really fortunate this year that we had friends and families who came on board and believed in our journey,” Rowati stated.
The former Fijiana rep who was the mastermind behind the success of the senior team drilled it into the players that a championship tag doesn’t come easy and defending it would demand a lot of time and sacrifices.
“This win was not a plan that we thought of this year, this is a build up from three years. We wanted to win all three trophies at stake, and we made it a point to win all which all came down to planning and making sure that we had the right people to execute the plan,” she said.
This was the first time that Suva had its own awards night for the women’s team recognising their achievements throughout the season.
Sixteen sponsored awards were given out, something that Rowati said was never the case in the past especially during her playing years.
Under-20 award recipients: Sukanatuidali Breakthrough Player of the Year: Silina Baselala, Raqisa Most Consistent Player Award: Tiale Rokini, Talica Vodo Top Try Scorer Award: Michelle Seruvatu (19 tries), Fiji Times Award Try of the Season: Ateca Nacaucauceva, Dwarka and Rekha Prasad, Rookie of the Year: Grace Masikerei, I.Naiveli and Co Chartered Account Most Improved Player: Naomi Raqauqau, Martina Rounds People’s Choice: Dorothy Turogo, Durant Best Backline Player: Meleia Nareki, Rowati Trophy High Achiever: Ilisapeci Sararu, Saulia Trophy Best Player: Carletta Yee and Siwatibau MVP: Lusiana Keperieli.
Senior award recipients: Breakthrough Player of the Year: Luisa Valamalua, Most Consistent Player: Ema Adivitaloga, Top try scorer: Varitema Adi Waikalo, Try of the Season: Loata Berenado, Bisessar and Bacchi Das Rookie of the Season: Kinisimere Kunawave, Most Improved Player: Filorina Kasami, People’s Choice Award: Talei Toga,
Best Backline of the Year: Ivamere Nabura, Best Forward: Isabella Koi, Sunshine Aerated Water and Manufacturing LTD High Achiever: Maria Rokotuisiga, Eagle Cleaning Services Best Player of the Year: Alisi Galo and Sam Speight MVP: Akosita Ravato-Marr.
