Dad’s decision reaps rewards
LULU Tuilotolava was 5 when her dad decided she was going to play hockey.
William Tuilotolava — aka dad — had struck up a conversation with former Black Stick Caryn Paewai at Auckland Airport and had been convinced hockey was the way forward for his children.
Sixteen years later that 5yearold woke up in a town she had never previously heard of with balloons dangling above her bed.
Tuilotolava had reached the top.
The 21yearold striker had just made her debut for the Black Sticks in game one of the TriNations in Cromwell on Saturday.
Japan won the fixture 21 but the home side rebounded on Tuesday night with a comprehensive 41 victory.
It is thought Tuilotolava is the first player of Tongan descent to play for the Black Sticks.
‘‘That’s what I’ve been told too,’’ she said.
Whether she is the first or not, hockey is not a sport Pacific Islanders have naturally gravitated towards. But William dared to think outside the square.
‘‘He came home one night and just told my mum he was going to get us into hockey. Since then all the kids have played hockey.
‘‘He wanted me to try something different from the norm.’’
Her international debut was ‘‘surreal’’.
‘‘It all happened so quickly but it was just really fun and I was so excited.
‘‘It was tough and a good glimpse into what you can expect in international hockey.’’
The balloons, by the way, were the team’s idea to help mark the occasion. It was small gesture but had helped make her debut tour an enjoyable experience.
‘‘When they said ‘You are going to Cromwell’ I had to google it,’’ she said.
‘‘But it is cool and I’m enjoying it.’’
Tuilotolava honed her hockey skills at the Southern Districts Hockey Club in South Auckland. There were many other Pacific Islanders playing the sport but that is slowly changing, she said.
‘‘When I first played premier grade there was another girl who was Samoan.
‘‘But it has been pretty cool to see the growth of it.’’
Tuilotolava does not see herself as a role model but then she is still coming to terms with her new status as a Black Stick.
‘‘Not really. I think I have to be now. I guess I have to lead by example for the Polynesian kids.’’
Tuilotolava has made a promising start to her international career. The feedback she has had has generally been positive but the coaching staff want her to be a bit more aggressive when defending.
‘‘Instead of holding back unsure, I need to keep going.’’
Outside of hockey, Tuilotolava is studying communications and would like to be a sports journalist.
But right now she hopes to make headlines, not write them.
The Black Sticks will contest the world cup in London in a couple of months. Tuilotolava would like to be named in the squad, but she is also realistic.
‘‘Yes I do [want to make the squad] but I feel like I need to focus on what is happening right now before thinking about anything further on.’’