Lutua Weds Soldier
Fijian Pearls vice-captain Maria Lutua married her sweetheart, British Army Corporal Fugavai Rusivakula, at the Coral Coast yesterday. The couple exchanged their vows in front of relatives and friends. They were blessed by the Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, at the Saint Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Korolevu.
It was love at first sight. Fugavai Rusivakula Corporal, British Army
Fijian Pearls vice-captain Maria Lutua married her sweetheart, British Army Corporal Fugavai Rusivakula, at the Coral Coast yesterday.
The couple made their vows in front of relatives and friends.
They were blessed by the Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, at the Saint Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Korolevu.
The reception was held at The Warwick Fiji Resort and Spa.
Lutua, 28, said it was a random meeting in Suva at Christmas, 2012, initiated by one of her cousins, that started the process for them.
Three years later in Suva, Corporal Rusivakula, who was 35 then, popped the question: “Will you marry me?”
“This is one of the happy days for our families,” the woman from Nakama, Macuata, said.
“This will not stop here. I have a supportive husband who still allows me to play.
“I thank the Netball Fiji for the support and allowing me to be part of this day and looking forward to the national duties.
“We have postponed our honeymoon until the end of the year due to work and netball commitments,” she said.
Corporal Rusivakula hails from Namuka, Bau, in Tailevu and has maternal links in Tonga.
He said: “She still has a long way to go in her career and netball is still her priority at the moment. I will always support her.”
He is thankful to finally wed his soul mate and looks forward to their future together.
“Even though it was a distant relationship all this time but we managed to get into the swing of things. It was love at first sight, I popped the question and the response was an easy yes,” he added.
“I am a big fan of Lutua when it comes to netball. He has lived in England since he joined the British Army in 2002. His duty has taken him to all over the world.
He leaves for England on Monday and Lutua joins the Vicky Wilson-coached national side. The 28-year-old attacker recently had a stint Sunshine Coast Lightning in the Australia; Played for the Yorkshire Jets in the UK Super League and brings with her over 52 test caps for the Fijian Pearls.
She made her test debut against Tonga in the 2009 Mini South Pacific Games.
She made her World Cup debut in 2011.