The netball community in Fiji and the broader Oceania region is mourning the sudden loss of Wainikiti Naivalulevu Waqa Bogidrau, a highly respected administrator who passed away at the age of 56. Bogidrau held significant positions including president of Oceania Netball and World Netball Regional Director at the time of her death. She also served as the acting General Manager of Human Resources at the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF).

Her passing has triggered an avalanche of condolences and tributes from across the globe, with heartfelt messages from family, friends, and numerous regional and international netball organizations, including World Netball. The impact of her contribution to the sport over two decades is largely recognized; she was president of Netball Fiji from 2010 to 2020 and played a pivotal role in various initiatives aimed at developing netball in Fiji and Oceania.

In 2019, Bogidrau was elected president of Oceania Netball during their Annual General Meeting and subsequently appointed to the World Netball Board as the Director for the Oceania region. Her commitment and vision redefined expectations for netball development throughout the region. World Netball expressed deep sadness about her untimely passing, highlighting her enthusiasm and lasting legacy in the sport.

Vasiti Vugakoto, the former president of the Suva Netball Association, reflected on Bogidrau’s influential leadership and her success in opening funding opportunities essential for the sport, including the efforts to host the Netball World Youth Cup in 2021, a project that was ultimately derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bogidrau was also instrumental in founding the “Friends of Netball” initiative, which aimed to support the national team’s international endeavors.

Netball Fiji President RubyAnn Sorovaki acknowledged Bogidrau’s remarkable contributions and expressed condolences to her family, reinforcing the collective sense of loss within the community. Further tributes from organizations like Netball South Africa and the Tonga Netball Association echoed the sentiment, celebrating her impact and the friendships she cultivated in the sport.

Bogidrau is survived by her daughter, who shares her name, and will be laid to rest next Friday. As the netball community reflects on her life, it serves as a poignant reminder of the significant influence one dedicated individual can have on sports and its administration. Her legacy will undoubtedly inspire future leaders to follow in her footsteps, demonstrating the profound impact of commitment and passion in effecting positive change within their communities.