After a 30-year hiatus, the Votualevu rugby team is making a comeback. The revival of the club holds significant importance for the Votualevu housing subdivision near Nadi International Airport, an area known for producing many former national rugby stars.
In its prime, the Votualevu club nurtured talents like the legendary flanker Iokimi ‘Iron Man’ Finau, who captained Nadi and the Flying Fijians in the 1980s. The club also produced the Rabaka brothers—Samisoni, Tomasi, and Saula—who played under the late Don Collingwood for the Cavaliers and made notable contributions to the national sevens team. Samisoni and Tomasi continued their careers with the Flying Fijians. Another prominent member was top sevens player, winger Benji Navunisalevu.
Aside from rugby players, the Votualevu club also produced top footballers such as Usaia Visawaqa and Akariva Ramusu, former Nadi and national strikers.
Club president Waqa Vulawalu highlighted the current challenges facing the Votualevu Housing area, which has been struggling for various reasons. “We want to change the perception of the area, and one way to do that is by reviving the rugby team, which has been defunct for 30 years,” Vulawalu explained.
He emphasized that rugby could provide opportunities for young men to secure contracts with overseas clubs, thereby improving their families’ lives. “We have about 120 youths in the area, most of whom are school dropouts and unemployed. We aim to bring them together for the betterment of the community. We have a gold mine within our reach with the Drua franchise, and we aim to fight poverty to some extent,” said Vulawalu.
The entire community, including various denominations, has united with a shared vision and mission. The club’s team manager is Vikatoria Rabaka, and the team chaplain is Seremaia ‘Tablee’ Visawaqa.
Training sessions have already begun as the team prepares to compete in the upcoming rugby sevens tournament, with aspirations to enter the Nadi Rugby Union in the near future.