Deo takes first refereeing steps in Fiji

We often cover news of ‘firsts’ in the global match officiating space here at RugbyReferee.net and this is another such story. Vaibhavi Deo of Koronivia, in Fiji, a Year 9 student at Adi Cakobau School, has created history by being the first Fijian of Indian descent to step into the world of rugby union refereeing.

Vaibhavi was appointed by Fiji Rugby Union’s High Performance Referees Department to assist the match officials during the Super Rugby Pacific tie between the Fijian Drua and Western Force in Lautoka on April 11th. 

She had the opportunity to be alongside World Rugby referees Damon Murphy and Jordan Way as well as Rugby Australia’s Jeremy Markey (assistant referee) and James Leckie (TMO) – an experience that marked the next step of her refereeing journey.

Vaibhavi expressed her gratitude to Fiji Rugby Union’s Elite Referee Manager, James Bolabiu, for recognising her potential and providing her with this opportunity.

Speaking to Fijivillage News, she was also grateful to learn from top-level referees like Murphy and Way, who took the time to guide and support her during the day. Like many young match officials, she has aspirations for higher level rugby, aiming to become the first female Fijian of Indian descent to referee a Tier 1 rugby union test match.

A passionate follower of rugby from a young age, Vaibhavi has spent countless weekends watching matches, whether it’s Super Rugby games or international test matches. A supporter of the Hurricanes and the All Blacks, her love for the game naturally evolved into a desire to officiate.

Vaibhavi says for her, rugby has become an integral part of her life – it is now her passion. Speaking of the opportunity, she descried it as “Simply unbelievable. I was doing schoolwork one evening when Dad called me to talk. He told me that Mr Bolabiu had written about her appointment. I lost for words.  Watching rugby on TV from my early childhood and now I’ve stepped onto the field with world-class referees – it was an incredible moment that I’ll always cherish.”

Vaibhavi also acknowledged the unwavering support of her parents, Vashna Lata and Dhanjay Deo, who have always encouraged her to dream big. Vaibhavi said, “My parents have always told me that nothing is impossible, that girls can achieve anything, and there should be no limits to our dreams.”

Keep on dreaming and aspiring to great things, Vaibhavi!