Sports administration can often seem dull, yet it plays a crucial role in ensuring competitions run smoothly. The Ba Rugby Union (BRU) has experienced significant growth over the past 18 months, leading to increased expectations for transparency and proper procedures in areas such as discipline, officiating, and player eligibility.
BRU Secretary Gaby Kautoga acknowledged the ongoing learning process, stating, “Each week, it feels like something new arises that we need to address, and we appreciate our club and tikina members for their patience and valuable contributions as we expand our operations.”
Despite challenges, including the Yakete Nakula women’s team not participating in the 2023 Rooster Chicken Shield, they made a strong comeback. After their absence in Round 1 of the 2024 tournament, the Yakete ladies entered Round 2 in impressive formation, concluded with a prayer, and secured a decisive 24-0 victory over Qailyalatina.
In Round 3, the team’s manager ensured that player registrations were submitted to connect them to Ba, along with a release letter from Yasawa Rugby Union for the twelve women who had previously played there. Kautoga noted the swift actions, saying, “All this occurred within days of submitting the registration forms. The majority of these players hail from Ba but attend school in Lautoka.”
Remarkably, Yakete managed to win against Magodro with a score of 34-0, securing a place in today’s Rooster Chicken Shield semi-finals where they will face Nailaga. Kautoga expressed the team’s ambition, stating, “One of our major goals for 2025 is for the Ba Women to earn promotion to the ANZ Marama Championship, which would greatly enhance the team’s morale.”
Last week also highlighted the organizational success of the Veiyasana Under 19s team. Kautoga praised their efficiency, noting, “Having received the registration forms on Thursday, the Veiyasana Junior side completed them promptly before Saturday’s game, even including the birth certificates.”
The Ba Tikina Championships not only spotlights emerging talent for the three Ba representative teams but also serves as a platform for the development of coaches and officials. Kautoga added, “We’re identifying potential managers and assistant coaches for the Ba teams, with some new faces showcasing their capabilities.”
In another Rooster Chicken Shield semi-final, the defending champions Veiyasana Cagilaba will compete against Bulu. Additionally, a last-minute penalty secured a 12-10 victory for the Veiyasana men’s team over Qaliyalatina, allowing both teams to advance to the Cup semi-finals. All three Nailaga Tiliva Bukuya teams topped their pools, while the Naloto Under 19s triumphed over Bulu with a score of 22-14 to reach the Allied Buses Trophy semi-finals.
All 24 teams are set to compete today, with entry fees set at $4 for adults and $2 for youth.