Vodafone FSSRU Deans Trophy

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The Vodafone Super Deans Rugby Championship is one of the most prominent school rugby tournaments in Fiji, organised by the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union (FSSRU). Sponsored by Vodafone Fiji, it features teams from various secondary schools across the country competing in different age grades from Under-14 to Under-19.

Schools like Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS), Queen Victoria School (QVS), Marist Brothers High School (MBHS), and Nasinu Secondary School are among the notable participants, with RKS and QVS historically dominating the competition.

The tournament is a significant event in Fijian rugby, known for showcasing young talent and serving as a pathway for players to potentially join national teams such as the Fijian Under-18 or Under- 20 team and even secure scholarships abroad. The Fijian Under-18 participates in an annual international meet known as the Tri-Nations Tournament along with New Zealand and Australia.

Brief background

The competition introduced in 1939 is the oldest competitive tournament in Fiji rugby. It was first won by Queen Victoria School (QVS).

QVS has since won the Deans Trophy 14 times and drawn five times. Lelean Memorial School (LMS), has won the trophy 12 times and drawn five times. Lelean first won the Deans Trophy in 1948.

Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) has won the trophy 16 times and drawn four times. RKS first won the trophy in 1961. Marist Brothers High School has won the Deans Trophy on four occasions and drawn twice. They first won in 1965. Latter Day Saints College (LDS), Nasinu Teachers’ College, Navuso Agricultural College and Suva Grammar School (SGS) have each won the trophy once. SGS also drew with RKS in 2005.

FUN FACT !!!

The original Deans Trophy was donated by the Maori All Blacks team that toured Fiji in 1938 to be competed for by the Secondary Schools of Fiji.

Competition Format

The FSSRU structures its schools competition into 6 zones namely the North, East, West, Baravi and Maritime zone. The top three teams from the Eastern zone will qualify for the quarter finals and the top two from the Southern zone as well as the Western zone qualifies, while the only top 1 from the Northern zone progress to the quarters.