Fiji’s top referees, Tevita Rokovereni and Lavenia Racaca, are being considered for full-time contracts upon their return from the HSBC SVNS Series in Canada. This announcement was made by James Bolabiu, the High-Performance referees manager of the Fiji Rugby Union, who has overseen a significant development program for referees in the past ten months.
Bolabiu expressed that this would be the first full-time contract for both Rokovereni and Racaca in their refereeing careers. “Part of my role is to make that happen because the demand for their time is immense; they officiate their training sessions and warm-up matches,” Bolabiu explained.
Rokovereni’s recent historic achievement as the second Fijian referee to officiate in a sevens series Cup final adds a notable highlight to this potential contract. He officiated the final match between South Africa and Argentina at the Vancouver tournament, marking a significant milestone for Fijian rugby refereeing, as it was the first time in 16 years that a Fijian had taken on such a prestigious role since Bolabiu himself did in 2009.
Bolabiu acknowledged Rokovereni’s commitment and hard work, stating that his progression to the final reflects the success of the referee development program aimed at improving officiating standards within the nation. Alongside Rokovereni and Racaca, approximately 30 referees are part of this developmental initiative, which boasts a notable 40% female representation.
Additionally, the program’s success is highlighted by the recent participation of six referees, including two females, at the Oceania 7s in the Solomon Islands, representing the largest delegation from any Pacific Islands country.
The focus on developing skilled referees not only aims to provide quality officiating but also to inspire future talents in rugby. This ongoing commitment reflects a bright outlook for the future of rugby in Fiji, as it positions local referees for recognition and opportunities on the international stage.
With the support from the Fiji Rugby Union and the Fiji Rugby Referees Association, the future appears promising for both established and aspiring referees, bringing hope and inspiration to the sports community as Fijian officiating continues to gain respect globally.
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