Rochdale Fijian Sporting History
Fijians have always been Associated with the great game of rugby and whilst rugby was played in the Fijian Islands as early as the 1881 this foreword is dedicated to the Fijians who gravitated to Rochdale in the early 1960s, and if not for them our existence wouldn’t really have occurred.
The first to land in this country was the legendary Orisi Dawai and Joe Levula, both legends in Fijian rugby and still very much revered back home in Fiji today. They traveled to Rochdale having had talks with the secretary of Rochdale Hornets who was on a scouting mission “down under” his signature of the pair was somewhat a coup, so much so the attracted a the first A team game the crowd was over 4000!
The buzz around the pennine town was electric, probably akin to maybe two Brazilian football stars turning out for Rochdale football club today. People who I have spoken to in and around rochdale still remember the day the South Sea Islanders came to Rochdale.
It was only natural then when the British Army began a recruitment over seas from the commonwealth, many indigenous Fijians signed up and came to the uk shores, and on weekend leave headed for rochdale to see their kin. Rochdale Hornets became a honey trap and secured the services of many Fijians who to the local Rugby population became heroes.
The likes of Ravouvou, Toga, Drui and Ratu became legends in Rochdale Hornets folklore, with Toga been named in the best team ever in a recent supporters poll. Many others Fijians also played for rugby league clubs, Kai Bose for Wigan, Jone Nabou for Blackpool and the Former Fijian Rugby Union Captain Tomasi Naidole who played for and settled with his family in Huddersfield Fartown
Their enthusiasm, playing style, skills and guile was not seen on these shores before and people were amazed at these talents along with there honest and affable temperaments it was only natural that the were embraced in the community’s they lived in a became an integral part of it.
Rochdalians Rugby union club played a big part in the Rochdale Fijian Community during the late seventies and 80s, many Fijians played for the club, Fred Mau, Watisoni Rogose, Adama Rockutni and more turned out for the club , this had an effect for the second generation of Fijian/Rochdalian children who turned out for the mini section, the club embraced the Fijian community without any qualms and the first Island night I believe was at the Rakewood club and links between the two are strong today,
Second
generation Fijians also carved out a career in professional rugby league,
Joe Naidole and older brother Tom have
worn the jerseys of Oldham, Featherstone rovers and Huddersfield. Emon
Ratu (son of mike ratu) has also played for his hometown of Rochdale
and Swinton. Many more have represented amateur clubs in Rochdale, this
continues today with 3 Fijians playing for National conference side
Rochdale Mayfield.
Third generation Fijians are still carrying on their rugby roots with Mike Ratu Jnr (grandson of mike ratu) currently plying his trade with Super league giants Leeds Rhinos. 4th generation Fijians are also making an Impact on Local Youth Rugby League with the likes of Freddy Mua Jnr and brother Joshua starring for Littleborough Rugby in the there youth section and Ben Ratu and cousin Phillip regularly grabbing headlines in the local paper representing Rochdale Mayfield Mustangs.
Rochdale Hornets
ROCHDALE Hornets and the Fijian community has a long and illustrious history and I'm delighted there will be a website to recognise their past and present contribution to life locally.
No Hornets supporter of a certain age will ever forget the sight of Joe Levula powering down the wing or Toga and Ravouvou swatting off would-be tacklers like flies.
Off the field, I was often entertained by the music of the South Seas which they performed in clubs and pubs around Rochdale.
And, I will never forget my first 'close encounter' when a trio of Fijian players walked into O'Brien's chippy on Milkstone Road. The place went dark but these gentle giants soon lit it up with their good humour.
Several years ago I visited Fiji and was surprised
as to how many people had heard of Rochdale Hornets and the players
who made the long journey from their home in the Pacific to darkest
Lancashire.
The Fijian presence and tradition has been carried on by subsequent
generations and long may it continue, the website should certainly help
this happen.
Mike Floyd Rochdale Observer Sports Editor
