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THE SIGNATURE
May 6, 2016
From Fiji to the All-Navy Rugby Team: One Player’s Journey By Nicole Ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Props, locks, hooker, and flankers? If you grew up in the U.S., this lexicon is probably not in your sports lingo. But for Paulo Bukadrokadroka, they are all terms near and dear to his heart. Bukadrokadroka grew up in Lautoka, Fiji and has played rugby for most of his life. Rugby is Fiji's national sport and many Fijian children aspire to some day play in the professional leagues. Limited playing fields in Fiji meant that people would play rugby in empty roads or backyards. After receiving orders to NAS Sigonella, Bukadrokadroka did not think he would be able to continue playing rugby in Sicily. However, with the support of his command Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AIMD) SIGONELLA and a chance encounter with a lieutenant from VP9, Bukadrokadroka was recruited to play for the All-Navy Rugby team. All-Navy Rugby provides an opportunity for Sailors to compete at the highest level in the Armed Forces. Players who are selected to attend the trial camp compete for a chance to represent the All-Navy Team. Last August, Bukadrokadroka was selected for the team and traveled to Colorado to train and compete in several scrimmages prior to the Armed Forces Championships. “We stayed in a hotel and trained in a state-of-the-art stadium and gym. We came from all over the world to represent the All-Navy team. It was a really rewarding experience,” recalls Bukadrokadroka. Rugby is played on a field that is 100m (length) by 70m (width). There are two types of Rugby that are played
at Sigonella: 15s rugby (played by 15 people on each team) and 7s (played by seven people on each team). The rules are the same for both types of rugby. The ball can only be passed from one player to another laterally or backwards (no forward passes). Tackles are full on contact and high tackles are not allowed (no hits from the collar bone and upward). Unlike football, there are no stoppages after each play. The game continues until an infringement occurs (e.g. a forward pass or high tackle). In terms of time, 15s rugby is 80 minutes long (two 40-minute halves), and 7s rugby is 14 minutes long (two seven-minute halves). When he is not playing for the AllNavy team, Bukadrokadroka coaches the base rugby team, the Sigonella Hoplites. The team is made up of civilians and military players from differ- Sigonella Hoplite rugby team pose for a group photo. (Photo courtesy of Paulo Bukadrokadroka) ent commands in Sigonella, and the team is always on the lookout for new members. There are currently 25 players on the team roster and about 70% of these players are playing the sport for the first time. The team will travel to Ibiza in June for their next tournament where they will compete against teams from all over Europe. “For the most part, the Hoplites rugby team has been a positive part of my stay here in Sigonella, from allowing me to stay physically in shape, volunteering in our fundraisers and branching out from my own command, allowing me to get to know other team members and their families,” said Bukadrokadroka. For more information on the Sigonella Hoplite, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ Paulo Bukadrokadroka, a member of the All-Navy rugby team, runs the field with ball in hand. HopliteRugbyTeam/ (Photo courtesy of Paulo Bukadrokadroka)
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