Erenavula Eyes Big Bash League
Choosing cricket over rugby was not an easy decision for Ilivema Ralumu Erenavula. But she wanted to try something new.
Originally from Nawamagi, Nadroga, Erenavula grew up in Saunaka, Nadi.
She shares maternal links to Sabeto, Nadi and also played for the Nadi women’s rugby team.
She is the cousin of former national netball star centre, Ana Erenavula.
“Rugby and netball was common in our family, most of my cousins played these two sports so I wanted to try something different,” she said.
“I started playing cricket in 2009, my late best friend, Asaeli Susu, introduced cricket to me when we were in Year 13 at Votualevu College.
“Nakavu was the only village playing cricket at that time so I was the only one from outside to join their women’s cricket team.” Just when Erenavula began to thrive in cricket, her friend Susu passed away in 2011.
She left the sport for about four years and played rugby.
“Susu was member of the Nakavu women’s team and he mentioned me to our coach, Lanieta Vuadreu, and I’m still here today,”she said. “Just as I was getting better with the game over the years, he passed away. I left cricket then until 2015.” The revival of the game by Nadi women’s team made her return
to cricket which saw her debut in 2019 at the East-Asia Pacific tournament in Vanuatu. She had andinjury at that tournament where she missed the Samoa Pacific Games. And last year, she was juggling both rugby and cricket.
“It clashes most of the time. It’s hard,”she said.
“Especially in times when I’m the only halfback available and at the same time being the only for cricket.
“But right now, I have been playing cricket full time and been leading these young girls.
“My plan is to be consistent in this game, and to get better every time.
“My goal is to play for the Big
Bash in Australia, to be the Fijian.
“I want to play cricket internationally, and probably find a contract,” Erenavula added.
She also applauded Cricket Fiji for the grassroot development programmes being conducted first
She hopes that they would have their own facilities in future.
Both their women and men’s team train at Namaka Public School.
“We thank the Cricket Fiji development officers who are coming down every week on Wednesdays and Thursdays, to conduct cricket clinics,” she said.
“The officials are doing a great work, most of these young girls have shifted their interest to cricket.
“Most of them played netball and now have been playing cricket. “And this league is a good learning ground for them, because the more we have more games, the better for us.”
She added that CF also provides transport for their weekly trips to Suva for the women’s league comps.
The women’s league will have its final round of pool games today before they prepare for the quarter finals next week.
“My plan is to be consistent in this game, and to get better every time. “My goal is to play for the Big Bash in Australia, to be the first Fijian. “I want to play cricket internationally, and probably find a contract.”
Issued from the National Weather Forecasting Centre Nadi at 3:30pm on Friday the 26th of February 2021
A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE NORTHERN PARTS OF
VANUA LEVU, LAU AND LOMAIVITI GROUP. A HEAVY RAIN WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR VANUA LEVU, TAVEUNI AND
NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS AND THE NORTHERN LAU GROUP.
A HEAVY RAIN ALERT REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF FIJI.
Situation: An active trough of low pressure lies to the north of Fiji and associated cloud and showers affects the northern parts of the group. Rain and clouds are expected to affect the rest of the group from today.
Forecast to midnight tonight for the Fiji Group:
Over northern parts of Vanua Levu, Lau and Lomaiviti Group: Expect moderate to fresh easterly winds. Fresh to strong northwesterly winds up to 45 km/hr gradually developing over the northern parts tonight and over the Lau and Lomaiviti group tomorrow.
Elsewhere: Moderate to fresh easterly winds. Winds becoming northerlies to southeasterlies today. Moderate to rough seas.
For Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands and northern Lau Group: Occasional showers, heavy at times and few thunderstorms.
Showers expected to further increase to rain from the evening.
Isolated heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low lying areas.
For Yasawa group, eastern parts and interior of Viti Levu: Cloudy with occasional showers and isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorms.
Fine apart from afternoon or evening showers and thunderstorms over the rest of Viti Levu. Elsewhere, Cloudy periods with brief showers.
Tomorrow:
For Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa group, Lau and Lomaiviti group: Periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms.
Elsewhere: Occasional rain with few thunderstorms developing.
Outlook for Sunday : Rain and thunderstorms over most places.
Strong winds over land areas of northern Vanua Levu, Lau and Lomaiviti Group expected to ease.
For Navua / Suva / Nausori:
Cloudy with occasional showers and isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorms today. Occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms today.
Outlook for tomorrow: Rain and thunderstorms.
For Sigatoka / Coral Coast:
Fine apart from afternoon or evening showers and thunderstorms today.
Occasional rain and few thunderstorms developing today.
Outlook for tomorrow: Rain and thunderstorms.
For Nadi / Lautoka / Ba:
Fine apart from afternoon or evening showers and thunderstorms today. Occasional rain and few thunderstorms developing today.
Outlook for tomorrow: Rain and thunderstorms.
For Tavua / Rakiraki:
Fine apart from afternoon or evening showers and thunderstorms today.
Outlook for tomorrow: Rain and thunderstorms.
For Labasa: Expect moderate to fresh easterly winds. Fresh to strong northwesterly winds up to 45 km/hr gradually developing tonight.
Today: Occasional showers and few thunderstorms. Showers expected to further increase to rain from the evening.
Today: Periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms.