‘It’s not money but my love for rugby’
Making the move from athletics to rugby was not about money, says Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua winger You¬nis Bese.
She made the comments after the Fijiana Drua players attended a sports development clinic led by the Australia Sports Diplomacy Advisory Council chair Stephanie
Brantz at the Latter-day Saints College in Tamavua, Suva, yesterday.
The former national sprinter was included in the Athletics Fiji squad for the Pacific Mini Games in Saipan, Northern Marianas.
Bese reiterated to SUNports that her decision was based on her love for rugby and not money.
“I love to play rugby,” she said. “I have made a decision so I’m with rugby right now, the journey was not easy because there were challenges all the way. The transition from athletics to rugby wasn’t easy. It was really a tough decision for me personally.
“I really had to make the decision on putting both feet into rugby.
“Right now I’m focused on trying to get a spot for the Rugby World Cup.”
Bese clarified that she was contacted by the Fijiana Drua management to be a medical joker (standby player in case of injuries).
“Before I left, I was in the training squad for the Commonwealth and the Pacific Mini Games.
“I got the call from coach, Mike Legge and the Fijiana Drua management in Australia.
“They needed me for injury replacement. I didn’t think twice, I just packed my bag and left because the girls needed me.”
Bese added that fellow athlete Heleina Young has a different reason about her switch to rugby.
“Coming from athletics, we both have different goals. My story about switching to rugby is different for hers.
“She has her own story to tell but I’m grateful to the girls and the manager for encouraging me and I was able to make a come¬back,” she added.