Fiji: Br Theophane Posthumously Inducted into Marist Athletics Hall of Fame

On 25 April, Br Kees van der Weert was invited to attend the Marist Athletics Team Dinner 2026 at Marist Brothers High School, Suva - an occasion that brought together athletes, alumni, supporters, and the wider Marist family.

Br Kees receives plaque from Asish Dayal, Principal of MBHS

The Team Dinner served as a significant moment of reflection as preparations continue for the Coca-Cola Games National Championships, to be held from 30 April to 2 May.

It was a time to honour the commitment, discipline, and brotherhood that continue to define Marist Athletics across generations.

The Induction plaque

A special highlight of the evening was the posthumous induction of Br Theophane into the Marist Brothers Athletics Club Hall of Fame – Class of 2026. It was noted that

Br Theophane’s contribution to the foundation and growth of Marist Athletics remains profound, and that it was only fitting that his role be recognised in this way.

Brothers Kees, Anitelea Fidow and Manecas Dos Santos with some of the staff from the school

Br Kees at the event represented Br Theophane and received the plaque on behalf of the Marist Brothers and Br Theophane's family.

The Brother Lambert Hall was set up for a full meal, with 300 tickets sold at $50 each. All tickets were sold. After grossing $15,000 in ticket sales, the organisers would have covered catering and other logistics, while still retaining a tidy sum to support the squad’s costs over the three days of athletics - transport, food, running kit, and more.

Br Kees paying a tribute to Br Theophone

At the event, Br Kees delivered a beautiful speech. Here is the transcript:

“Firstly, thank you for the invitation to be with you this evening, and allow me to congratulate this newly formed Marist Brothers Athletics Club for this initiative - both in establishing the club and for this posthumous induction of Br Theophane into the Marist Brothers’ Athletics Club Hall of Fame, Class of 2026. Knowing him as I did, he would have been quite embarrassed by this recognition, the self-effacing and humble man that he was.

Let’s talk about this man.

I wonder how many of you know that he was a Fijian? Yes, he was born in Fiji, in Levuka, I believe. Looking at Br Theo’s life made me think - it’s a small world, and there are always connections.

When the Brothers came to Fiji in 1888 to begin teaching, there were just four students on the first day. One of them was Herbert Brailley, Br Theophane’s father. The Brailley family lived on Suva Street, and the Brothers, also based there, used to regularly visit the family. I’m sure those visits sowed the seeds of a vocation in young Herbert, as this was his Christian name. He eventually sailed to New Zealand to begin his training as a Brother at the tender age of just 12. Upon his profession, he was given the name Theophane, which is how we remember him.

More coincidences - when I started teaching at Sacred Heart College in Auckland, in my first class in 1975 was a young lad, Peter Tattersall. Peter’s mum was Norah, Br Theophane’s sister. Small world indeed!

Br Theophane’s induction centres on athletics. He was also awarded an MBE for excellence in education and was blessed with the rare gift of imparting a love not just for sport, but for education, art, music, gardening, and spirituality.

Older Old Boys will remember the musical productions, the choirs, seeing him at the Bilo Levu Club fundraising, and conducting the choir at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

But I think his lasting legacy to all of us was simply his gift of presence. He was there for us.

Br Theophane passed away in 1999 - perhaps before some of you were even born. Here’s another coincidence: he died on 8 September, the feast of the birthday of Mary. Another sister, a religious sister, died on 25 December, the birthday of Jesus.

Let’s return to this idea of presence. My abiding memory of him in his later years was his presence in the Marist tent at the back of the stadium - words of encouragement, last-minute advice, a quick smile - but essentially, being present, just as Br Sam also used to be more recently.

And it’s that legacy I want you to take away with you, especially you athletes, as we honour Br Theophane this evening. Be there for each other - rejoicing in victories, rejoicing in all efforts, no matter the result. Encourage one another, put in the hard yards in the tedium of daily training. Let all this - especially your presence to one another - strengthen your family spirit and your identity as Marist.

Thank you for this time to share with you, and on behalf of the Marist Brothers and Br Theophane’s family, I accept this induction with a big Vinaka Vakalevu. Be assured that I will get in touch with Peter, Br Theophane’s nephew, whom I met again last year - 50 years after he had been in my class - and share with him this wonderful occasion.

God bless you all.

AND ATHLETES, GO WELL!!”

About Br Theophone:

The late Br Theophane was a renowned teacher at Sacred Heart College and elsewhere, an energetic formator of young Marist Brothers, and later served as Provincial of the New Zealand Province at a time when the number of Brothers was approaching 300. Born and educated in Fiji, he returned there after completing his term as Provincial.

His two great passions were music and athletics, and he was also a highly successful athletics coach.

In recognition of his contribution to education, he was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).

He died in Fiji on 8 September 1999, aged 84.