Namatakula Youths Reach For Rugby Lifeline.
- Sitiveni Tawakevou
- Jul 3, 2018
- 2 min read
The youths of four neighbouring Namatakula, Nadroga villages, Naboutini, Navutulevu, Komave and Biausevu, are receiving tremendous community support to play for their rugby club, Ratu Filise. These grass root communities also help fund the team’s participation at tournaments like the Raka 7’s.
This long standing partnership has been inspired by the success and benefits brought into the community by former players who are now based overseas.
Club official Mr. Vukailagi confirmed that for many youths in the team, rugby is now a career worth pursuing. “Not all can be academically gifted and for us, professional rugby contracts has become a life line that secures much needed finances to empower families and communities,” he added. Like all successful community rugby clubs, Ratu Filise is a club that prioritises social responsibility and discipline. “We have a culture that governs our recruitment drive to ensure that our club reputation is well maintained by existing and new players.”
Discipline and social responsibilities are central to the Ratu Filise Rugby Club and this is evident with the number of club players that have signed contracts overseas and who keep giving back to their communities.
The likes of the Batibasaga brothers of Asaeli, Ilikimi and Isimeli were the first from this village of Namatakula to make headlines in Fiji during the 1970's where they were key members of the Nadroga and Fiji 15's rugby team. It was followed closely by Tuqiri brothers of Lote Tuqiri Snr and Tukula Tuqiri in the 1980's. The late, Viliame Tani also made it to the national team before his younger brother of Mesake Seavula and Noa Nadruku together with their cousin Luke Erenavula and Isei Nasiganiyavi made the Fiji team in the early 90's. When Fiji won the first Melrose Cup in 1997 our club was the lone club in that had two of their players in the team in the likes of the late Aminiasi Naituiyaga and Luke Erenavula.
The club also contributed players like, Jone Macilai, Kaliova Tani, Alipate Tani and Joe Ravueta who played for the Fiji Bati in the Rugby World Cup in 2008 and also former national 7's rep, Joeli Lutumailagi and Sailosi Rabo. Looking ahead, the club has confirmed it will participate at this year’s Raka 7’s tournament and defend their title of being the inaugural tournament winners.
