Kapsin youngest to make sevens squad
‘‘Looking back now, I understand why he's always pushed me because I wouldn't be where I am without that. ’’
Summer Loimata Kapsin grew up with rugby in her veins.
The only girl in a family of four boys who all played the game, and a dad that was devoted to the sport, it was of no surprise that Summer also followed in their footsteps.
It started in her last two years at primary school and grew to be more than just a game for the year 10 Mt Roskill Grammar School student.
Summer and three Mt Roskill Grammar team-mates - Leilani Fuikefu, Lovely Pulotu and Cheyanne Takau - helped their team win the Auckland Club Sevens in the women’s division on November 5.
Holding their own against much older and experienced players, the four went on to be selected into the Auckland under18 team.
Summer and Leilani also made the 16-member Auckland women’s sevens squad.
Summer was the youngest to make the cut.
‘‘I grew up watching my brothers play rugby and I always went along with my parents to support their games,’’ the 15-year- old says.
‘‘One day I thought, I want my parents to come and support me too.’’
Summer plays several positions - hooker, flanker, centre and halfback - but she’s most comfortable in the No 2 jersey.
‘‘I like the physical contact, getting dirty.
‘‘I am most comfortable around the ruck area, doing all the dirty work with the forwards and letting the faster girls do the rest.’’
Her father Tillam Kapsin is also her school’s rugby coach.
‘‘Dad never takes it easy on me at training,’’ Summer says.
‘‘As the coach’s daughter, he expects so much from me and there are times when I get angry.
‘‘He never lets my brothers take it easy on me either when we play rugby, I get tackled just as hard. Which is good because I don’t expect anything less, I tackle just as hard back.
‘‘Looking back now, I understand why he’s always pushed me because I wouldn’t be where I am without that.’’
Summer dreams about playing rugby professionally when she’s older and hopes to continue making her family proud, especially her late grandmother Loimata and uncle Holyfield.