Rasolea Defies all the Odds, Banks on Faith
Faith plays an important role for 26-year-old former Queensland Reds prop, Siteri Vuanimasei Rasolea.
It was her faith in God that brought her back to the rugby field three years ago after she threw in the towel.
In a panel discussion yesterday in Suva, Fijiana prop Rasolea revealed that negative comments on social media about her size and build took toll on her and she decided to call it a day.
She also admitted that the visibility of women playing rugby in this digital age has been great compared to when she started playing in Australia as a 16-year-old.
The Naivucini, Naitasiri native strengthened her faith and prayer to overcome her challenges.
“There are a lot of opportunities for women in rugby now than back then,” Rasolea added.
“Back then we did not get much media support, especially on social media; people give negative comments – I actually stopped playing rugby because of it.
“They were commenting size, I am a big girl.
“Just for the motivation of thinking there is another little girl at home watching and say I’ve heard on my her play rugby because she’s seen me and thinks; you know if she can play rugby, I’ll play rugby too.
“So it’s important that we have this platform to be able to a positive influence to not only just the little girls out there, but the boys also out there in Fiji. Just to encourage showing them that rugby can be a pathway but stay in school and finish school first and rugby is an extra achievement.
“It’s important to have a safe space, when that happened to me I turned to my faith; prayer is massive for me especially before big games and having a good support system.”
She added that having time to herself, apart from rugby was important. Rasolea was instrumental at last year’s Women’s World Cup in New Zealand where she was the player of the match in their 21-17 win over South Africa.
Being an Australian born, it was not hard to choose the Drua over the Reds.
Her father Solomone Rasolea played second five eight for Nadi and the Flying Fijians in the 1980s while her brother Junior Rasolea represented the Fijian Under-20 side.
“It was an easy decision,” she said. “Fiji is home, there’s something about the Bula smile.
“I actually wanted to school here but my mother did not think it was a good idea.
“I have heard a story from my dad on how hard training is like here and I have experienced that myself.” She advises young women playing rugby to remind themselves of why they are playing and who they play for.
“Do not change because this world is changing; and hold your family close to your heart.
The panel discussion was jointly organised by the Women In Media (Fiji), Fijian Media Association and the Australian High Commission.