Empowering women through rugby
TWIN sisters Mere Kilawekana and Alesi Kilawekana are committed to changing young women’s perceptions in Fiji through rugby, a male-dominated sport.
In 2020, they joined the University of the South Pacific (USP) Raiders Rugby League team, which was a testimony to all women that anything was possible through belief in God and by pursuing your goals.
Mere Kilawekana mentioned how women are breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport and claiming a name for themselves when traditionally women don’t even speak up without being asked to speak.
Their journey in donning the national jersey for the Bulikula Rugby League team last year began in 2020 while attending USP.
Originally from Cautata, Bau, Tailevu and having maternal links to Namalata Bau Tailevu, the sisters shared their journey of sacrifice in ensuring that they both balanced their studies and rugby careers.
“We both joined the USP rugby league team in 2020, when COVID-19 hit we were locked down at the university. We never gave up but continued our training program.”
“The lockdown was time for self-reflection and it strengthened our spiritual life with God. At times there was not enough food but we never gave up. We are thankful to families who lived in Suva that would drop off food rations.”
“Balancing our studies with rugby was a challenge in itself so we took a break from our studies due to our financial situation and focused on rugby. My sister- Alesi is in her third year studying Bachelor’s in Tourism and Hospitality Management and Administration,” Mere said.
“It’s through rugby that we have been both empowered so they can step into the men’s job and know from within that anyone can achieve it,” she said.
Mere, also in her third year, studies Environment Science and is currently working with Fiji Livestock Council but plans to complete her studies.
The twins both represented Fiji at the Pacific test match with the Papua New Guinea Orchids last year.
Alesi then represented Fiji at the South Pacific Games in Solomon Islands while Mere unfortunately could not join her sister.
“When we both play together, we are stronger, it’s the strong bond we both have but when one of us is not playing the other one is weak. But I’m glad I share the same passion with my sister.”
“Coming this far was not an easy journey for both of us, at times when there was not enough money we would walk just to make it in time for training but it took a lot of sacrifices.”
“My dad is a retired civil servant and mum is a full-time housewife, this was also a drive to be independent and look after ourselves.”
Mere and Alesi shared that to succeed in life, it starts with yourself and then comes hard work.
“My message to my sisters who are thinking of developing a career in Rugby is you can do it if you put your mind and heart into anything is possible.”
The sisters both represented the Fiji Bulikula Rugby League women’s team at the recent Pacific Championship competition held in Australia last week.