Clubs fodge friendship over trophy

“Youths are our future and we are doing  this for their holistic development.”

These were the words of  Vunidakua  Rugby Club games committee chairman Peni Matasau at the launch of  the  Solomoni Naivalu trophy on Thursday  last week.

The trophy will be challenged  yearly between his club and the Senikau  Rugby Club from Naitasiri.

“The trophy is named after the former  Minister of  Heatlh Solomoni Naivalu,” he said.

“Naivalu hailed from Lutu in Naitasiri  and was one of  the founders of  our rugby  club. We are doing this to commemorate  him and also provide a platform for youths  in our club to harness their talents.”

Matasau shared that players in the  Vunidakua club were youths in Cunningham in Suva who had a passion for sports.

“This is an old club so we decided to revive it to accommodate youths who loitered around the community. Our aim is to be a launch pad to greater things for  them as I know the pathway in rugby is  there. We are here to support them and help them achieve something they would  be proud of  later in life.”

He said plans were in place to introduce  other sports as the challenge progressed.

“For now we will be featuring only rugby in the under-19 category, golden oldies  and premier team. Plans are in place to  introduce volleyball and netball competitions for women and children as we know  that this will also serve as a good family  outing.”

Vunidakua club last week Saturday in  Lutu, Naitasiri where they pipped the  visitors 15-12 in the premier category.

Matasau thanked supporters and former players of  the club for their contribu-  tions to the club’s revival.

“I want to acknowledge and thank all  former players in Fiji and overseas who  contributed immensely to the revival  of  the club. We hope that in the coming  years, this challenge will act as a reunion  for players to come together and enjoy a  family-filled event.”