FRU CEO, John O’Connor, FBC CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, FBC Sports Channel Team Leader Jamie Toro and FBC Manager News and Sports Indra Singh.

The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation has become the exclusive radio and television partner for the Vodafone Deans Rugby competition.

Tagged as the biggest secondary schools rugby competition in the region, the historic deal announced today sees FBC team up with the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union and the Fiji Rugby Union to bring all Fijians the best action from the Deans.

FBC will be starting its coverage from this weekend with the Under-18 quarter-finals live on Radio Fiji One and also FBC Sports on the Walesi platform.

FBC Chief Executive Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the new partnership, continues in the motto of the company to help develop sports at the grassroots level.

“We are just extremely excited about the fact that we are for the first time in a position to be able to promote rugby to its fullest, because believe that if we are able to promote rugby and get more interest in rugby from a grassroots level, then we can only get better at the national level. That has been proven elsewhere all throughout the world and we have to start them early and this is the way to do it. Broadcast is here to stay and broadcast is what will generate more interest in rugby.”

Sayed-Khaiyum says through FBC’s AM reach, the whole of Fiji will able to enjoy radio commentaries of the four U18 quarter-finals.

FBC Sports Channel Team Leader Jamie Toro says his team will be using the top of the range gear and personnel to bring the games to all fans.

And for the first time in Fiji, all Under-18 games will be broadcast on TV and Radio but with an added feature.

“To give Deans the respect that it deserves and to improve our coverage for all Fijians, we have also at an added expense to allow for two commentary teams so that we can give our viewers and listeners better coverage.”

FBC Manager News and Sports Indra Singh says with all other grades being played on the outer grounds, fans will not miss out on the updates and action.

“What we have done is that we have put together teams that will be based at different grounds to give live updates in terms of results, pictures and videos for everyone to follow and that will be on our online platforms. This will happen right from this Saturday right up until the finals.”

Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive John O’Connor says having partnered with FBC during its provincial competition, they are delighted to be working Fiji’s biggest broadcaster once again.

“I think in the second year of our partnership, we are starting to realize the benefits of having live broadcast on FBC. You will note from our recent matches, especially at Farebrother and Vanua, the broadcast has generated interest and generated crowds wanting to come down to the stadium.”

The first U18 quarter-final will be between Cuvu College and Nasinu Secondary School at 9.55am, the second quarterfinal will take place between Natabua and QVS at 11.20am, the third quarterfinal will be between Lelean Memorial School and Marist Brothers High School at 2pm while the last quarterfinal will take place between Ratu Kadavulevu School and LDS at 3.30pm.

All Under-18 games are the ANZ Stadium in Suva.