After three decades without a rugby team, Votualevu has revived its beloved rugby club. The Votualevu housing subdivision, located near Nadi International Airport, has long been a nurturing ground for some of the nation’s top rugby sevens and fifteens players.
In its prime, the club produced legendary players such as flanker Iokimi ‘Iron Man’ Finau, who captained Nadi and the Flying Fijians in the 1980s. The Rabaka brothers, Samisoni, Tomasi, and Saula, also emerged from Votualevu, making significant contributions to the national sevens team. Samisoni and Tomasi further distinguished themselves by playing for the Flying Fijians. Additionally, winger Benji Navunisalevu was another notable sevens player from the club.
Votualevu didn’t limit its talent production to rugby alone; it also developed top footballers like former Nadi and national striker Usaia Visawaqa and Akariva Ramusu.
Club president Waqa Vulawalu highlighted that the Votualevu Housing area had been considered a troubled zone for various reasons. “We want to change the perception of the area, and one of the ways is to bring back the team that had gone defunct 30 years ago,” Vulawalu stated.
He believes that revitalizing the rugby club can help the local youth secure overseas contracts, subsequently improving their families’ livelihoods. “We have about 120 youths in the area, most are school dropouts and unemployed. We want to bring them together for the betterment of the community. We also have a gold mine within our reach with the Drua franchise and aim to combat poverty to some extent,” he added.
The community is united in this mission, with all denominations supporting the initiative. The club’s team manager is Vikatoria Rabaka, and the team chaplain is Seremaia ‘Tablee’ Visawaqa.
The team has already begun training and aims to participate in the upcoming rugby sevens tournaments and eventually join the Nadi Rugby Union in the near future.