DEANS QUATERFINAL
VODAFONE, FBC BACK DEANS COMP
Fiji’s most prominent schoolboys sporting event, the 2019 Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Deans Trophy national quarterfinals kick off this Saturday at the ANZ Stadium in Suva. With 1200 students, 48 teams from 19 schools across the six divisions will embark on the capital city to battle through the first stage towards holding that prestigious trophy.
2019 has seen a changing of the
guard for the schools competition with Fiji Rugby Union bringing the competition governance model in close allegiance with the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union.
Vodafone Grateful
Vodafone Fiji who are naming rights sponsor in a major boost to the funding model of the competition has ensured a first class competition in place for the students. Vodafone Head of Sponsorship Adriu Vakarau said they are grateful for the continuous partnership with the national teams but this opportunity is to align with the national treasure, the Deans Trophy which is a great honor for the business.
“We’re thankful for the years we’ve been involved with FRU, this partnership now with the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Deans Trophy is our next step in reaching the Fijian community,” Vakarau said
“Also this year we are celebrating our silver jubilee and supporting rugby at all levels for the past years have not been easy for us and supporting grassroots is important for us as it will lead to the needed performances at national level.
“We’ve received positive feedbacks from teachers and parents of these participating students on the funding model that caters for the travelling expenses for them.”
Rugby milestone
Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor congratulated FSSRU for achieving 80 years of milestone achievements.
“We congratulate FSSRU and the Deans Trophy on their 80 years, which coincides with another great milestone for Vodafone who are also celebrating their 25th birthday this year,” O’Connor said.
Deans live on FBC Sports
National broadcaster Fiji Broadcasting Corporation will be covering the finals series on live television and radio for the Under 18’s division, with other selected games to be aired on a delay across the month.
O’Connor thanked FBC for coming on board to ensure no Fijians will miss out on witnessing the action of this much loved national sporting event.
“Many Fijians across the country love the Deans Trophy and have fond memories from their own school days, so we are thankful FBC is taking the games into far corners of the nation,” he said.
FBC chief executive officer Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said;
“I would like to thank FRU and FSSRU for persevering with our suggestion few years ago in broadcasting the Deans coverage on TV. “And as broadcaster we had been very committed in promoting grassroots rugby and other minor sports.
“We always believed that grassroots rugby needed exposure and we are finally working towards that. And also it is a celebration year for everyone especially for “Vodafone it’s their 25years while Deans rugby 80th year anniversary and not forgetting FBC’s 65th year of existence.
“Apart from coverage on our 6 radio stations the game will be live on our FBC Sports channel and with availability of Walesi set box people in the rural areas will have live access.”
The Vodafone FSSRU Deans Trophy national quarter finals will play across five fields this weekend, commencing from 8.20am at Bidesi Park, Buckhurst Parks 1 & 2, Suva Grammar School and the National stadium.