The netball community in Fiji and the wider Oceania region is mourning the unexpected passing of Wainikiti Naivalulevu Waqa Bogidrau, a respected leader and administrator who died at the age of 56. At the time of her death, she served as the president of Oceania Netball and as a World Netball Regional Director. She was also the acting General Manager of Human Resources at the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF).
Bogidrau’s death, which occurred on Tuesday, has triggered a wave of condolences from around the globe, including heartfelt messages from family, friends, and various netball organizations such as World Netball (WN). Her impactful career in netball administration spanned over two decades, during which she held significant roles, including serving as the president of Netball Fiji from 2010 to 2020. In 2019, she was elected president of Oceania Netball and appointed to the World Netball Board as Director for the Oceania region, where her leadership greatly contributed to the development of netball across Fiji and the region.
World Netball expressed profound sadness at her passing, describing Bogidrau as an inspirational leader whose dedication to the sport left an enduring legacy. They noted her passion for netball, both as an athlete and administrator, emphasizing that her commitment has significantly influenced the sport’s future in Oceania.
Vasiti Vugakoto, former president of the Suva Netball Association, highlighted Bogidrau’s visionary leadership, citing her successful efforts in securing funding opportunities and her role in obtaining the hosting rights for the Netball World Youth Cup in 2021, an event ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was also instrumental in establishing the “Friends of Netball” initiative, which raised funds to aid the national team in international competitions. In recognition of her contributions, Bogidrau was honored as a Life Member of the Fiji Netball Association in 2020.
Netball Fiji President RubyAnn Sorovaki extended condolences to Bogidrau’s family, acknowledging her remarkable contributions and expressing how deeply she will be missed. Other netball associations, including Netball South Africa and the Tonga Netball Association, shared their condolences, reflecting on the positive influence Bogidrau had within the netball community.
Bogidrau is survived by her daughter, who shares her name, and will be laid to rest next Friday. Her legacy of leadership and passion for netball continues to inspire those in the sport, reinforcing the impact one individual can have on an entire community. As we remember Bogidrau’s contributions, it is a poignant reminder of the importance of dedication and inspiration for future leaders in sports administration.
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