The netball community in Fiji and the broader region is in deep mourning following the passing of Wainikiti Naivalulevu Waqa Bogidrau, a prominent figure in the sport. At the age of 56, Bogidrau held esteemed positions as the president of Oceania Netball and as a World Netball Regional Director at the time of her death on Tuesday.
In addition to her roles in netball, she had a successful career at the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF), where she served as the acting General Manager of Human Resources. Bogidrau’s journey in netball administration spanned over two decades, including serving as the president of Netball Fiji from 2010 to 2020. Her leadership was marked by significant milestones, such as securing the rights for Fiji to host the Netball World Youth Cup for the second time in 2021, a project thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Messages of condolence have flowed in from across the globe, highlighting her contributions to netball both regionally and internationally. World Netball expressed their sorrow, recognizing Bogidrau as an inspirational leader whose passion influenced countless individuals in the netball community. She was respected for her ability to open up opportunities and foster development within the sport.
Former colleagues and friends reflected on her visionary leadership and dedication, mentioning her role in establishing the “Friends of Netball” initiative, which raised crucial funds for national team events. In acknowledgment of her service, she became a Life Member of the Fiji Netball Association in 2020.
RubyAnn Sorovaki, the current president of Netball Fiji, expressed profound gratitude for Bogidrau’s impactful contributions to the sport and extended heartfelt condolences to her family. Tributes from regional netball associations further underscore her legacy and the impact she made throughout her life in netball.
Bogidrau will be honored and laid to rest next Friday, leaving behind her daughter, who shares her name.
In a time of grief, the netball community is reminded of the inspiration and opportunities Bogidrau brought to the sport, ensuring her legacy will continue to influence future generations. It’s a hopeful reminder that the passion she had for netball will live on, motivating others to follow in her footsteps.
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