The netball community in Fiji and across the region is in mourning following the passing of Wainikiti Naivalulevu Waqa Bogidrau, a prominent administrator and leader. Bogidrau held the esteemed positions of president of Oceania Netball and World Netball Regional Director at the time of her death. She was 56 years old and worked full-time as the acting General Manager of Human Resources at the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF).
Her death on Tuesday sparked an outpouring of condolence messages from around the globe, including from family, friends, and both regional and international netball organizations such as World Netball (WN). Bogidrau began her journey in netball administration over twenty years ago and served as the president of Netball Fiji from 2010 to 2020. She was elected president of Oceania Netball in 2019 at their Annual General Meeting and also became a Director on the World Netball Board during Congress in 2019.
World Netball expressed deep sadness at her sudden passing, reflecting on Bogidrau’s integral role in the netball family and her impactful leadership. They highlighted her passion for the sport, describing her as an inspiration who left a lasting legacy on netball within Fiji and Oceania.
Former president of the Suva Netball Association, Vasiti Vugakoto, praised Bogidrau’s impact, noting her significant contributions to expanding funding opportunities for the sport. She played a key role in securing Fiji’s rights to host the Netball World Youth Cup in 2021, although that event was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bogidrau’s legacy also includes her facilitation of the “Friends of Netball” initiative, which was instrumental in raising funds for the national team’s participation in crucial competitions. She was recognized as a Life Member of the Fiji Netball Association in 2020.
Netball Fiji President RubyAnn Sorovaki acknowledged Bogidrau’s crucial contributions and expressed condolences to her family during this difficult time. Tributes also poured in from various organizations, including Netball South Africa and the Tonga Netball Association, emphasizing her spirit and commitment to the sport.
Bogidrau will be laid to rest next Friday, leaving behind her daughter, who shares her name.
This moment of loss is a poignant reminder of the impact one individual can have on a community and a sport. Bogidrau’s lifelong dedication to netball serves as an inspiration for future leaders in the sport. As the netball family remembers her contributions, it also looks to honor her legacy of leadership and passion for the game.
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