Celebrating 80-years of Deans as finals launched

It’s the place where legends are born, dreams are realized and tall tales of former glory come back to life in the hearts and minds of men nation-wide.  It’s the Deans Trophy and it’s up for grabs.

Arguably Fiji’s most prominent schoolboy sporting event, the 2019 Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Deans Trophy national finals series is set to kick off with the quarter finals this weekend at the national stadium in Suva.

1200 students in 48 teams from 19 schools across six divisions will embark on the capital to battle through the first stage towards holding that prestigious trophy high.

2019 has seen a changing of the guard for the Secondary Schools rugby competition with Fiji Rugby Union bringing the competition under their domestic competition governance model in close allegiance to Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union (FSSRU).

Vodafone Fiji were welcomed on board as naming rights sponsor in a major boost to the funding model of the competition helping to ensure a first class competition has been rolled out for the students.

Vodafone Fiji Head of Sponsorship Mr Adriu Vakarau said the company has enjoyed their long history of supporting Fiji’s national team’s but this opportunity to align with the national treasure, the Deans Trophy is a great honour for the business.

“We’re thankful for the years we’ve been involved with Fiji Rugby, this partnership now with the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Deans Trophy is our next step in reaching the Fijian community and contributing to the far corners of the nation through this competition that is so special to us all.”

2019 is the 80th year for the Deans Trophy to be contested and the significant milestone will be celebrated with a birthday celebration during the Under 18’s fixtures on the main field at this weekend’s quarter finals.

Fiji Rugby Union CEO Mr John O’Connor said it was a joyful occasion for Deans Rugby.

“We congratulate Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union 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” he said.

National broadcaster Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) will be covering the finals series on live television and radio for the Under 18’s division, with selected other games to be aired on delay across the month.

Mr John O’Connor further thanked FBC for coming on board to ensure no Fijian 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 that FBC is taking the games into the far corners of the nation, where families can unite to watch these finals and re-live the stories of their own school days” he said. The Vodafone FSSRU Deans Trophy national quarter finals will play across five fields this weekend, commencing from 8.20am <