VODAFONE TROPHY COMPETITION

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 The four pioneering school principals include Tevita Koroi (Nasinu Secondary School), Marika Uluinaceva (Nabua Secondary School), Waisake Ravatu (Suva Grammar School), and Setareki Delana (Laucala Bay Secondary School).

Iosefo Volau was the director secondary back then and the support from the four principals made it possible for the sport of rugby league to be undertaken in schools.The first participating schools included Nasinu Secondary School, Nabua Secondary School, Suva Grammar School, and Laucala Bay Secondary School.There were four schools with different grades numbering altogether to 12 teams that started the competition. Volau became the first FSSRL president before he resigned in 2019, and also became the first FSSRL patron.

2008

The first Vodafone FSSRL Junior Bati under-19 tour began during the backdrop of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup in Australia. The team was coached by Joeli Savou (former FNRL board of director, FNRL general manager and FNRL operational manager) who is currently back in the teaching profession. The number of participating schools increased from four to six.

2009

The year 2009 saw the inclusion of the western schools into the VT competition. Schools such as Ba Provincial Free Bird Institute School (Lautoka), Ratu Navula College (Nadi), Natabua High School (Lautoka), and some Sigatoka schools to name a few. The number of participating schools continued to increase.

2010

The second Vodafone FSSRL Junior Bati U18 tour to Australia at the end of the season continued.

This time the U18 grade were selected to compete with the overseas counterparts.

The team was coached by Meli Baleidraokadroka (SGS U19 coach, and former FSSRL treasurer) and assisted by Joeli Savou.

Marika Koroibete, Seta Tamanivalu and Sakeo Raloa were all part of this U18 Junior Bati team.

Virimi Vakatawa was unfortunate to have pulled out in the last moment to sign a rugby union contract with the Racing Metro 92 in France.

2011 – 2014

The third Vodafone FSSRL Junior Bati U18 tour (2014).

The team was led and coached by Meli Baleidrokadroka and assisted by Taniela Vakamoce (current national secretary) and other teaching staff members.

The following players which toured in 2014 are now playing overseas; Jone Manu (Flying Fijian), Jone Savou (France), Tevita Railevu (La Rochelle, France Top 14 Club), Asaeli Sorovaki (Taranaki, NZ).

The team played against Manly Sea Eagles U18 (lost), St Patricia College (won), and against New South Wales Combined School (won).

The highlight of the 2014 season was the inclusion of the four zone structure because of the increased number of participating schools and teams.

The four established zones include Nadroga/ Navosa zone, Lautoka/ Nadi zone, Ra/ Ba/ Tavua zone and the South Eastern zone.

2015 – 2017

The fourth Vodafone FSSRL Junior Bati U18 tour to Australia was conducted at the end of the 2017 season.

The team was again coached by Meli Baleidrokadroka and assisted by Timoci Duve, team manager Naisa Cama Toko, tour manager Aisake Tuapati (current school principal, Sila Central High School) and the following officials; Ifereimi Naisoro (current FSSRL president), Laisiasa Corerega (former FSSRL acting treasurer), and Taniela Vakamoce.

The team consisted of players such as Kaminieli Rasaku (Fiji 7s), Solomoni Naiduki (Paramata Eels U20, now plays for the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby), Semi Valemei (Canberra Raiders NRL), and Anisito Komai (Kaiviti Sliktails).

They played against Canberra Raiders U18 (won), ACT U18 (won), New Castle Knights U18 (lost), Canterbury Bulldogs U18 (won), Australian Fijian (won).

2018 – 2019

The fifth Vodafone FSSRL Junior Bati U18 tour was postponed because of financial constraints (2019).

The team was coached by Meli Baleidrokadroka and assisted by Jo Magiti.

Preparations of team completed from both the West and South East trials of players.

The players selected who are now playing overseas include Gordon Whippy (Canberra Raiders U20), Rusiate Baleitamavua (Cronulla Sharks U20), and Ponipate Talatala (Fiji Warrriors).

2020 – 2023

The season 2020 was completed right up to the national Grand Finals one day before Fiji declared the COVID-19 pandemic that saw to the closure of all essential services in and around the country.

All other school sports in Fiji were cancelled until late August 2021.

There was no rugby league competition in 2021 because of the pandemic.

In 2020, FSSRL also saw the introduction of women’s rugby league competition in secondary schools.

However, in its first implementation of being inclusive in rugby league the women’s competition was only played by the South/East zone schools and girls from participating schools played their hearts out for the historical one-day program.

Lomaivuna High School WRL team won the first inaugural Soqoiwasa Cup after defeating Assemblies of God High School in the cup final.

The first pioneering schools that participated in the women’s rugby league competition include Assemblies of God High School, Ballantine Memorial School, Dudley High School, Lomaivuna High School, Naitasiri High School, and Saint Vincent College.

In 2022, Naitasiri High School was the inaugural winner.

Sponsors for the 2022 women’s rugby league season included the Fiji Teachers Cooperative Thrift Limited (FTACTL) and NRL in Fiji.

President and representative of WRL is Vaseva Saulekaleka.

Sadly, the second president of FSSRL Akuila Vute was one of the victims of COVID-19.

Naisa Cama Toko (currently VP South East and former acting FSSRL president) took the leadership role from the end of 2021 until the FSSRL annual general meeting in January 2023.

Number of schools from 2022

The number of participating schools in 2022 was 87.

Fiji Bati head coach Josaia Rabele mentioned that the increase in the number of participating schools has been encouraging especially for the
development officers who have worked tirelessly with the schools.

The Vodafone Trophy FSSRL Season 2022 commenced on May 7, 2022.

The competition was played in three divisions – U15, U17 and U19.

A major increase in the number of women’s participation in the competition – nine teams in 2020, 12 teams for 2021 and 16 teams in 2022.