Queen Victoria School’s Under-14 rugby team capped a pressure-filled week with a 17-15 victory over Suva Grammar School to claim the 2025 Vodafone Deans Trophy.
Under-14 coach Josaia Waiwalu said the win carried heavy meaning for the players and the school, noting it came after a demanding week as the last QVS side left standing in the final. The victory, he added, was the result of honoring the school’s storied rugby legacy and staying true to a defined process. The team’s motto, “building from the bottom up,” guided their approach all season, and Waiwalu emphasized that belief in the plan paid off when it mattered most.
The win came with a backdrop of high expectations and a weighty responsibility, as the defending champion Under-18 side had already been eliminated from the competition. Yet the U14s rose to the occasion, delivering a hard-fought triumph that underscored QVS’s ongoing commitment to development and discipline over quick fixes.
Beyond the final itself, the victory reinforces a broader narrative about Queen Victoria School’s rugby program: a long-running development pipeline that nurtures players across age groups and contributes to Fiji’s rugby ecosystem. The Deans Trophy has long been tied to the Tailevu schools, a tradition Waiwalu highlighted as part of the program’s identity and motivation.
Added value: This result continues to illustrate how QVS’s development-first philosophy translates into tangible success at the national level. By emphasizing fundamentals, structure, and team cohesion, the Victorians are sustaining a pipeline that could benefit Fiji rugby for years to come. The victory may also inspire younger players across Fiji to commit to the hard work and teamwork that underpins the Deans Trophy legacy.
In short, the U14 victory not only crowns a national champion but also reinforces a resilient culture of discipline and process that has become a hallmark of Queen Victoria School’s rugby program. It signals a bright prospect for the school’s youth teams and for Fiji’s broader rugby development pathway.
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