The Kaiviti Silktails have confirmed their Staff Appointments for the 2025 Season with Caretaker Coach and former Fiji Schoolboys Coach Timoce Duve confirmed as the clubs new Head Coach. Former Strength and Conditioning Coach and Fiji Residents SPG Captain Rusiate Ratukana will step into the Assistant Coaches Role and he and Duve will both be supported by Technical Advisor Joe Saukuru who will be the Coaching link between the Silktails and new feeder Club – The Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.
Silktails Executive Director Stephen Driscoll say Duve’s appointment was done in consultation with the Bulldogs and is part of both Clubs long term strategy to develop locally based Coaches and Staff in Fiji.
“Master Duve or Jimmy as he is known to us was thrown into a really tough position when Wes Naiqama finished up mid-season. He had just set up the framework for the delivery of our Elite Development Pathway Program when he took over as Caretaker Coach but as the season went on he really grew into the Head Coach’s Role.” said Driscoll.
“He and Technical Advisor Joe Saukuru worked amazing together and watching Jimmy develop over the season to present his Video Analysis and all the other Technical Aspects of Coaching at this level is what this club is all about. By the end of the season he looked and sounded like a Jersey Flegg Coach. Rusi Ratukana also re-joined the club middle of last season and will step into the Assistant Coaches Role in 2025 but will also with his S&C background will assist our Performance Team there also. His presence back at the club has been invaluable”
Long time Head of Pathways Ben Tubakibau returns to the club also to assist part time in Recruitment and Pathways with the Aiport Air Control Tower Manager also being nominated to a position on the Football Clubs Board at their next Board Meeting which is expected to be passed un opposed.’
Coach Duve has already had time with Bulldogs GM of Pathways Adam Hartigan while he was in Fiji and spent the last week in Suva working closely with Bulldogs Development Coach Craig Wilson delivering Elite Clinics to players from The Kikau Academy and Silktails EDP Squads. That along with a ‘Coach the Coach’s’ Workshop with FSSRL Coaches while in Suva also.
Technical Advisor Saukuru, a former Grand Final Coach with the Bulldogs SG Ball team back in 2018, has already began training with the Bulldogs SG Ball and Jersey Flegg Teams and has begun feeding information back to the Silktails Coach’s in Fiji.
In other appointments 2022 Jaquie Shannon Medallist (Staff Member of the Year) Sai Ledua returns to the Club to work with the Performance and Medical Team after leaving the Club midway through 2023 due to achilles surgery. She has spent time with Fiji Women’s Soccer and Fiji Netball. 2024 Intern S&C Joe Kobonolagi has been appointed S&C for the EDP Squad in Lautoka and will also continue in his on-field Trainer Role. Executive Director Stephen Driscoll with his S&C background will support the Silktails Performance Team and will also be the link with Bulldogs Performance Team.
Intern Physiotherapist Vilimaina Tuivaga is now the Clubs Head Physiotherapist with Sio Dickinson moving into a Consultancy Role with the Club but will continue with his on-field Medical Role on Game Day. Lautoka based Club Doctor Atul Anwas Lal will also continue in his role as Club Doctor with the Silktails for the 2025 season.
The Clubs Management Team will see Mereoni Tuinanuya continue in the General Manager Role that she was promoted to following the departure of Damon Spooner. Team Pastor Kemueli Salu will work as the Clubs Welfare and Community Engagement Manager with Erami Vuleka to manage the Clubs On Site Facilities and Maintenance requirements. All will be supported by Executive Director Stephen Driscoll in the day to day running of the Club and working with the Silktails Major Sponsors and Stakeholders.
Silktails Chairman Petero Civoniceva says the Board are ecstatic with the Football Staff appointments. “Stevie and I have brought some people back to the Club who are real Silktails people and understand our values. Its great to have Rusi, Sai and Ben back at the Club.” said Civoniceva.
“That on top of the people we have retained from last year who will be much better for the experience second time around including our Head Coach Master Duve who our Board will give him all the support he needs. Throw in the added support from our new partnership with Bulldogs to assist our ever-growing Footy Program and this gives us all great hope going into our pre-season that officially starts on Monday November 11 ”
