THE Rebels volleyball team walked away with $4000 in prize money after being crowned the winner of the inaugural Genesis Nakasi Ratu Jone Senibici Volleyball tournament.
The one-day meet took place last Friday at the National Netball Centre in Suva.
Magics finished as runners-up with $1000 prize money and Rebels player Ratu Kini Vuniwai was named the tournament’s best player.
Formed under the Nakasi Youth Volleyball Association, the Genesis Volleyball Club used its first major tournament as a springboard for a bigger role in the development of volleyball in Nakasi and beyond.
Teams from the Delainavesi, Suva, Raiwai and Nakasi volleyball associations competed in the one-day event.
Lomaivuna was among the new clubs taking part as Genesis opened its tournament to teams from across the associations.
But for Genesis president Solomone Besetimoala, the tournament was a segment of what the club is trying to build at a broader scale.
“The main target is the youth,” Besetimoala said.
“We want to get all the youths around and get them away from what we are facing today, especially drugs and other activities.”
Genesis was formed by former Nakasi representatives and supporters with the aim of developing players and helping rebuild Nakasi’s presence in volleyball.
Besetimoala said the club wanted to give young players opportunities to develop their skills and work towards playing at national level.
“That’s what we are trying to bring for the club — for them to look towards the national level, not just for the club,” he said.
That work has already extended beyond tournaments, with Genesis staging off-season competitions and supporting efforts to improve sporting facilities in Nakasi, including work around the Qeledamu playing court.
The club has also introduced youth activities focused on financial literacy and drug awareness.
Besetimoala said Genesis wanted to continue expanding its competitions and create more opportunities for teams and players.
With its first major tournament now providing a foundation, Genesis will be looking to turn its competition platform into a long-term pathway for young players across Nakasi and the wider volleyball community.
Kali Toni of the Falcons spikes against the Rebels during the Genesis Nakasi Ratu Jone Senibici Volleyball tournament at the National Netball Centre in Suva last Friday. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU
