Fiji Rugby Union

Vodafone FSSRU Deans Trophy

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, such as Under-14, Under-15, Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, and Under-19.

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 or secure scholarships abroad. 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 FSSRU structures its schools competition into 6 zones namely the North, East, West, Baravi and Maritime zone and apart from the local “Deans Competition” it also participates in an annual international meet known as the “Tri-Nations Tournament” along with New Zealand and Australia. In the 2013 “Tri-Nations Tournament” the Fiji Under-18 Grade created history when it defeated the New Zealand School boys team in Sydney, Australia.

The Vodafone FSSRU Deans Trophy is the top prize of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby. 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).

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. 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 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.