Watisoni Naqau to Officiate at 2024 Oceania 7s

Watisoni Naqau, a 21-year-old from the village of Votua in Lekutu, Bua, has been selected as one of the Fiji referees to officiate at the 2024 Oceania 7s tournament in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The tournament, set to take place on December 7-8, will see Naqau make his mark on the international stage.

Naqau’s journey began in his early years at Lekutu Primary and Secondary Schools. His passion for rugby was ignited as a young boy, watching local club games in Bua. It was then that he began following the referees closely, gaining insights into the art of officiating. “I started watching the officials and following them around to learn how they managed the games,” Naqau recalls.

Recognizing his potential, Fiji Rugby Referees Association invited him to undergo a certification course in refereeing, marking the beginning of his officiating career. “I was fortunate to be invited by Fiji Rugby officials to undergo a course for certification in refereeing,” Naqau shares.

Inspired by watching Fijian referees officiate at international events, Naqau set his sights on one day joining their ranks. “I had always admired the referees from Fiji officiating overseas and set my mind on doing that as well in the not-so-distant future,” he says.

Since his certification, Naqau has officiated in local competitions like the Vodafone Vanua Cup, Skipper Cup, and the Fiji Bitter 7s series. These experiences have helped him build confidence and refine his skills, paving the way for this opportunity in the Oceania 7s tournament.

Naqau expressed his gratitude to the Fiji Rugby Referees Association for their support in his development, saying, “I thank them for believing in my ability and giving me the chance to move onto a regional competition. I look forward to even bigger opportunities in the near future.”