FIJI Water Flying Fijians winger Jiuta Wainiqolo, a former student of Ratu Kadavulevu School, recently shared his perspective on the intensifying competition in the Vodafone Deans rugby tournament. At the Southern Zone semi-finals held at Suva Grammar School, Wainiqolo expressed his excitement while watching the matches, noting the impressive evolution of the tournament.
At just 26, Wainiqolo serves as an inspiring example of the Deans competition’s success stories. From his early days at Ratu Kadavulevu School, he progressed to represent Fiji in various international platforms, notably contributing to the national 7s team’s gold medal win at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan and later joining the prestigious French club, Toulon.
Reflecting on the current state of the Deans, he commented, “Every year, the level of competition in the Deans is rising, with talent and skills at a higher level than ever before.” His personal journey resonates with young players today, who are also striving to write their own success stories through the tournament.
Wainiqolo applauded his alma mater for their strong performance in the Eastern zone, particularly their decisive semi-final victory against Tailevu North College, winning 45-18. He emphasized that this momentum combines with discipline, teaching young athletes the importance of teamwork as they progress towards the finals and national competitions.
Wainiqolo is optimistic about the support from families and communities, highlighting that encouragement is vital for the young players’ future as they navigate beyond secondary school rugby towards professional opportunities. His message serves as a reminder of the integral role communities play in fostering the next generation of rugby talent in Fiji.
Overall, as the Deans competition continues to grow in popularity and skill level, it is clear that programs like these serve not only to develop talented athletes but also to unite families and communities in support of their local teams.
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