Queen Victoria School U14s end 11-year Deans drought with 17-15 final win over Suva Grammar
The Queen Victoria School Under-14 rugby team broke an 11-year jinx by edging Suva Grammar School 17-15 to claim the Vodafone Deans Trophy in the grade’s final at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. The match kicked off at 8am, and QVS had to regroup early to gain the upper hand and establish the level of dominance that carried them to the trophy.
QVS swapped in one converted try and two unconverted tries to seize the lead, while Grammar answered with two unconverted tries, a successful conversion, and a penalty. The final score reflected a thrilling contest that kept spectators on the edges of their seats from start to finish.
Head coach Josaia Waiwalu spoke about the significance of writing their own chapter, given that the team from Matavatucou had not lifted the under-14 trophy in more than a decade. “We just had to create our own legacy. Even the under-14 trophy, we haven’t won it for the past 11 years but today is quite special as well,” Waiwalu said. He added that the victory represented more than just the team; it stood for the entire QVS fraternity, from current students to alumni and the broader school community.
Waiwalu also highlighted the achievement of being the only QVS side to reach the Deans finals that day, stressing how perseverance and hard work underpinned the win. He noted that the squad’s youth and the challenge of overcoming a strong opponent made the result all the more meaningful.
QVS received prize money of $2000 for the win.
Context and outlook
This triumph adds another bright chapter to Queen Victoria School’s Deans Trophy legacy, reinforcing the program’s reputation for developing players and contributing to Fiji’s rugby pipeline. The victory reflects a development-first philosophy that emphasizes discipline, structure, and teamwork, qualities that have helped QVS repeatedly compete at a high level in the Deans Trophy scene. The win also signals promising momentum for QVS’s rugby program as it continues to nurture young talent for Fiji rugby’s future.
If you’re looking for what’s next, the Deans Trophy program at QVS will likely build on this success by continuing to emphasize foundational skills and team cohesion, with a view to sustaining success across age groups in the years ahead.
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