The 2026 Vodafone Deans secondary schools rugby competition was officially launched on Friday at Gospel High School in Suva, with Education Minister Aseri Radrodro describing the tournament as a cornerstone of school sport that shapes young athletes and strengthens the fabric of Fiji’s rugby pathway. Radrodro used the launch to acknowledge sustained backing from the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union (FSSRU), Fiji Rugby, title sponsor Vodafone Fiji and other partners, saying the event offers more than on-field glory by teaching teamwork, discipline and life skills.
Now in its 87th year, the Deans Competition remains one of Fiji’s longest-running and most respected school sporting events. Radrodro emphasised that generations of pupils have carried their school colours with pride through the Deans, and urged schools, coaches and supporters to safeguard the competition’s reputation by modelling respect, discipline and sportsmanship during intense rivalries. He also thanked sponsors and stakeholders for their continued investment in grassroots rugby.
Organisers at the launch highlighted a steady rise in participation: 117 schools competed in 2024, that number rose to 121 schools in 2025, and organisers expect even broader involvement for the 2026 season. The anticipated increase follows a year in which the competition was able to proceed after approvals from the Ministry of Education and sanctioning by the Fiji Rugby Union — a process that FSSRU officials and interim FRU leadership worked through to ensure safety and governance were in place.
The launch in Suva comes amid wider expansion in Fiji’s school rugby landscape. Separate Vodafone-supported secondary school leagues have reported growth for 2026, with officials noting new and returning schools joining regional competitions. Naisa Cama Toko, president of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League, recently pointed to increased entries and renewed interest in regional zones, a trend organisers say is mirrored by the Deans’ rising school numbers.
FSSRU leaders, including vice-president Biu Colati, have previously stressed the importance of proper approvals and safety standards as the competitions scale up. Those governance measures were front of mind at this year’s launch, as schools prepare not only to compete but also to ensure player welfare and fair play throughout the season.
With the official launch completed, schools and teams will now move into preparations for zonal fixtures and the wider season ahead. The Ministry and rugby authorities say the focus will be on maintaining the competition’s long heritage while broadening access and protecting the values that have kept the Deans at the heart of Fiji’s school sport for nearly nine decades.