Former Suva Grammar School Head Boy and National School boys’ representative John Vugakoto passed away peacefully in his home in Raiwaqa early this morning.

According to his father Tevita Vugakoto, post mortem examination revealed that he had suffered from a cardiac arrest.

Vugakoto was informed by health officials the heart problem had been with him since he was a child and aggravated when he grew to be a teenager and being engaged to physical training.

Vugakoto was a member of the School boys side that participated in the Under 18 World Cup in Dubai 3 years ago - a team that had the services of Tailevu fullback Iliesa Keresoni and National 7’s player Tomasi Mawi.

His untiring work rate on the field saw him being selected in the Suva rugby side for the Sanyo and Farebrother match before lately being announced to be a member of the Suva Highlanders team for this years Colonial Cup competition.

Vugakoto the youngest in his family was described and foreseen by Rayne Simpson the National U- 20 Coach to captain the side at this years Junior Rugby World Cup.

A promising player he had already been earmarked a spot in the 2011 World Cup Squad.

Funeral gatherings of the late 20 year old will begin this Thursday, the church service will be held this Saturday before he is finally laid to rest. The Fiji Rugby Union regrets to announce the sudden and untimely death of former Fiji U19 captain, John Vugakoto, who passed away early this morning after apparently suffering from a heart condition.

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Vugakoto, 19, skippered Fiji to first place in Division B of the 2006 IRB U19 World Championship, and was named Fiji U18 Best Player that year after playing for the Fiji Schoolboys in a close defeat to their Australian counterparts.

FRU chief executive Timoci Tavanavanua said the whole rugby community has been shocked by the news.

“John was one of our star young players with a great rugby future ahead of him,” Tavanavanua said. “We are extremely saddened by this, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family in what must be a devastating time for them.”

“He had already achieved so much in his young career and was clearly destined for much greater things.”

Equally comfortable at lock or flanker and possessing strong leadership qualities, Vugakoto was earmarked to take on the role of captain to the Junior World Cup.

He trained with the squad on Monday morning, then with the Colonial Cup franchise Highlanders in the afternoon. He later died in his sleep.

The funeral will be held on Saturday 9 February with the church service at Raiwaqa Methodist Church and the burial at Lovonilase Cemetery.

Full name: John Vugakoto Bowman
Position: Back row
School: University of South Pacific
Club: ­Lomaiviti, Suva
Born: 9 April 1988 in Suva

Died: 5 February 2008 in Suva
Height: 1m93 (6ft3in), Weight: 90kg
Father’s Village: Naigani, Batiki
Mother’s village: Tubou, Lakeba


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next Grammar reunion will up in auckz - nz the weekend of the next RWC in 2011!!!! Start planning...double celebrtions definitely...GO FIJI - GO GRAMMAR!!!!

PEACE

Like other fans of this really great band, it is bloody awsum to know that they are all ex scholars of Suva Grammar, with an added few (gud to have youz in the GRAMMARIAN family... )
Nehoe, this guys deserve all the support they need! They have a bebo page to themselves and if yall interested....check them out!