5 December, 2001

Realising rugby values

Villagers on Turtle Island in the Central Yasawas live one hour ahead of Fiji. They call it ‘Bula Time’, and it started during the shooting of the movie Blue Lagoon when everyone involved had to get up an hour earlier and wait for the sunrise. The villagers still get up an hour earlier than the rest of Fiji. Vela Naucukidi visited the island and found that rugby has been helping in more ways than one.

Turtle Island, or Nanuya, enjoys a covering of mahogany trees – the only island of the group that is clothed in beautiful green. And, naturally, tourism has been the main source of income for villagers, who consider themselves lucky because the arable land is limited and crops are sometimes difficult or impossible to grow.

Flying above, the view suggests a straight line of islands that could be joined on a map with a ruler. Up close, the site is simply gorgeous with long stretches of sandy beaches fringed by azure waters.

It was sighted by Capt. William Bligh in May 1789 and five years later by Captain Barber in the ship Arthur, yet little seems to have been known of them until 1840.

It was then that it was roughly surveyed and charted by officers of the US expedition under Commandant Charles Wilkes.

The islands were used by the US Military, as communication outposts during World War II. Most of the islands were of little interest to European traders and settlers, and for many years they remained one of the most isolated parts of Fiji.

Today, the Yasawa chain is the most visited island destination in the country.

Late arrival
Rugby didn’t arrive here until the early 1960s. Competitions were held in primary schools and incoming teachers brought with them ideas that helped in rugby development in the region.

Players would run around with coconuts, empty plastic bottles or anything that could be used as a ball with the beautiful white sandy beach as a field.

Enthusiasts used to travel up to Yasawa North to play, but because boats were the only mode of transportation, the sport was slow to grow.

Now with the help from Turtle Island Resort owner Richard Evanson, a promising rugby future lies on the horizon.

Like other tourist destinations in Fiji, last year’s coup left a deep scar. Villagers from Naisisili wanted to take hold of the resort and Mr Evanson, who remains undeterred in his quest for reconciliation and togetherness on the island.

Rugby solution

Richard Evanson with Team Turtle

Rugby, the main form of recreation on the island, became one of his solutions in uniting the people. He decided that it should benefit from the tourism dollars coming in.

Mr Evanson developed a number of community programmes to make it viable, sustainable and more attractive for young people to stay on the island rather than to migrate to more populated areas.

“I’ve undertaken the job of trying to bring people together and create jobs and infrastructure necessary for a successful community,” he said. “For those that are unemployed, why not give them something they are interested in? So that’s where rugby came into the picture.”

“I decided to introduce a rugby development programme for the whole tikina, and the response was excellent.”

Tikina Nacula rugby organised a sevens series that spanned five weeks, with Vuaki finishing first.

Mr Evanson provided each village team with a set of new jerseys, transport from their villages to the venue and lunch during the series.

The main aim of the series was to help former national rep Senivalati Laulau and referee Inoke Nabulivou select a squad in preparation for upcoming tournaments.

Laulau and Nabulivou have assisted Nacula coach Timoci Tabacece in grooming the boys.

great scenic view

The Yasawas have five tikina, or districts: Viwa, Waya, Naviti, Nacula and Yasawa, which are divided into three Unions. Naviti, Waya and Viwa are affiliated to the Yasawa South Union, Nacula to the Central Union while Yasawa is registered in the Yasawa North Union.

National reps
Players like Niko Qoro, Kaiyava Salusalu, Ilaitia Ravouvou and sevens reps Jo Vunisa and Taniela Qauqau are from the Yasawas.

Laulau and Nabulivou have done a wonderful job in the area in terms of development.

They picked a team to compete in the St Patrick tournament on 30-31 August. Called the Turtle Nacula Dream Team, they beat Viwa Lautoka 5-0 in the final to win the $1,000 prize money, which they gave back to the church.

The squad now hopes to travel to the mainland and expose their talents during the upcoming sevens season.

the tikina training squad

Vuaki triumph in Turtle Nacula Tikina Sevens Series. More