Nadroga rugby brims with history.
It has had a colourful and amazing journey over the decades.
With its many victories over the years, one factor stood out – the abundance of talented young men who were passionate about the white Nadroga jersey with the little stallion embroidered or painted over the left chest.
That fact hasn’t escaped the eyes of administrators such as Tiko Matawalu, the former national frontrower who is the president of the Nadroga Rugby Union.
Matawalu was a powerhouse in his playing days, and has translated that presence on the field to his administrative role off the field, leading Nadroga’s charge into the future.
It earned him the Administrator of the Year Award at the Fiji Rugby Union annual awards in Suva early this month.
He understands the importance of players, and why they must be motivated to deliver on the field.
That takes time and effort, and strategic planning.
He has a team that is proactive.
The province has unleashed many big names over the years.
From yesteryears, it had the likes of big name backline players such as Wame Gavidi, Tevita Makutu, Emosi Katonitabua, Pita Kewa Nacuva, Kini Vosailagi, Noa Nadruku, Mesake Seavula, Kavekini Nalaga to name a few.
There were many big name forwards over the years as well, such as Matawalu himself, Rupeni Qaraniqio, Sunia Nadruku, Aminiasi Natuiyaga, Ifereimi Tawake, Isaia Rasila, Eminoni Batimala to name a few.
These are just a few names that will probably prick the memory banks of many fans around the country.
They became household names, but there are just too many of them to name here.
Nadroga has been very well represented over the decades in the national 15s teams and in our national sevens teams.
However, they have also hit a brickwall over recent years, suffering defeats along the way.
But rather then be negatively impacted and rest on its laurels, the union is keen to strategically move forward.
On the home front, with eight registered teams in its first year, the 2019 Nadroga Super Rugby Championship has increased to 14 teams.
They are all targeting the right to be declared Nadroga Super Rugby champions.
Nadroga Rugby is once again on the driver’s seat, pushing for the development of its crop of young talented players and hoping to maintain its hold on the imaginations of rugby fans.
“It is all about keeping our players to a pathway,” said Matawalu yesterday.
It was about bridging the gap between club level competition and the provincial level games, he said.
The union, he said, identified the need for another tournament to keep its players engaged.
The increase in the number of teams participating in this year’s Super Rugby competition, he said, was a positive reflection of the rugby talent flowing in the province of Nadroga.
Fourteen out of the 22 tikina in Nadroga, he said, had now provided teams for the competition.
The union expects the numbers to increase next year.
The end product is obviously tailored to lift standards from the club level right through to provincial level.
Well that’s the plan.
For anything to happen though needs support.
It is obvious Nadroga has that.
It’s something Nadroga fans will be hoping is good for their team.
They will obviously be banking on the direction they have taken to boost their campaigns this season on the domestic front and remain one of our most successful provincial teams.
This is where other provincial unions can learn a thing or two.
From the outset, it might just be very good for the sport in our country both in our domestic competition and for the Flying Fijians.
