The netball community in Fiji and the wider Oceania region is in mourning following the unexpected passing of Wainikiti Naivalulevu Waqa Bogidrau, a respected leader and administrator in the sport. Bogidrau, who served as the president of Oceania Netball and was a World Netball Regional Director, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 56. She was also employed as the acting General Manager of Human Resources at the Fiji National Provident Fund.
Her death has sparked an outpouring of condolence messages from across the globe, including heartfelt tributes from family, friends, and numerous regional and international netball organizations such as World Netball. Bogidrau’s journey in netball administration spanned over twenty years, during which she held significant positions, including a decade-long presidency at Netball Fiji from 2010 to 2020. In 2019, she was elected as the president of Oceania Netball during their Annual General Meeting, later joining the World Netball Board as the Director for the Oceania region, where she made substantial contributions to the development of the sport.
World Netball expressed profound sadness at Bogidrau’s sudden passing, emphasizing her role as an integral member of the netball family whose passion for the sport inspired many. They reflected on her long-standing commitment to netball, noting the legacy she leaves behind in Fiji and throughout Oceania.
Former Suva Netball Association president, Vasiti Vugakoto, praised Bogidrau’s visionary leadership and her ability to secure funding opportunities, including the attempts for Fiji to host the Netball World Youth Cup in 2021, which unfortunately could not materialize due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Bogidrau was the driving force behind initiatives like the “Friends of Netball” group, which raised funds to support the national team in various international competitions.
Netball Fiji President RubyAnn Sorovaki acknowledged Bogidrau’s invaluable contributions and expressed condolences to her family during this difficult time. Other netball associations, including Netball South Africa and the Tonga Netball Association, extended their tributes, reflecting on her positive impact and the friendships she fostered within the sport.
Bogidrau will be laid to rest next Friday, survived by her daughter, who bears her name. As the netball community remembers her life and contributions, it is a poignant reminder of the significant impact one dedicated individual can have on others. Her legacy stands as an inspiration for future generations of leaders in sports administration, underscoring the importance of commitment and passion in effecting positive change in their communities and beyond.
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