A LONG walk from Canada to the US border with four plastic bags holding all his personal belongings has been credited as the moment that saved the career and life of Fijian rugby 7s legend Waisale Serevi.
While it came at a time he called one of the trying times of his life, it led to a resurgence in his career, the start of a business venture and the reunion of his family.
“It goes without saying that we are called to work hard, work smart and never give up,” Waisale Serevi said.
He made these statements during an event that was organised by the University of the South Pacific (USP) School of Social Sciences themed,” Rugby, Rio and Serevi the pride of the nation”.
Serevi shared his moving story of how his life in America began from humble origins to an attentive audience of USP students.
And how God reached out to him and restored him.
He said at around 2010 he left Fiji for Canada in search of greener pastures for his family.
Upon reaching Canada he had to stay with Pastor Netani Gucake and his family in Vancouver for “a couple of months.
He said this was one of the trying times of his life and he was greateful to God for the lives of the Gucake family.
“It was 2010 and for me it was lie down and quit, or move on to the next level,” Serevi said.
He said after a few months in Vancouver, Seattle Rugby found out where he was so they told him to go over to them.
Serevi said his journey from Canada to America was sprinkled with God’s showers of blessings.
“I probably was the first Fijian who walked from Canada to USA.
He said as he approached the American border, two officers approached him and asked him of his destination.
Serevi said, he told them that he was going to the border.
“As I walked I was carrying my four plastic bags. One plastic bag had my boots, one plastic bag had my runners, one plastic bag had my toiletries and the other had my daily clothes.
Serevi then said he produced his passport at the border and they saw that he was a rugby player, but by then an Indian man who knew him came by and explained to the officials.
“That made it easier for me to cross over and for that to happen it was only from God.”
Serevi is a devout Christian. His genius is helped by his devotion to religion. He used to write the Bible verse Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, on his wrist and his boots when he plays.
The verse is used by most rugby players to motivate them when they play. It is also used all the time by the Fiji 7s team.
Serevi is the first Fijian to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame and was also awarded an honourary doctrate title by Leeds Metropolitan University for his contribution to rugby. Since then some have referred to him as Sir Waisale Serevi.
Rugby journey
According to Serevi he made the decision to be a great rugby player at a very early age in his life.
He recalled the time one afternoon in 1977 when the Fiji team beat the British and Irish Lions 25-21 at Buckhurst Park in Suva.
“I was washing my school uniform one afternoon in 1977 and then I asked my mum and dad: ‘Why are these people happy, shouting and being noisy around the houses?’. They said ‘oh Fiji had just beaten the British Lions,’ and in my mind I thought ‘oh maybe rugby makes people happy’.
“I want to play rugby to make people happy if given the opportunity and I thank God for giving me the power and strength throughout my rugby career and I have made people happy all these years”
He said since 1988 his rugby career had taken him to 51 countries including New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, France and the United Kingdom.
“I owe a lot of achievements in rugby to God Almighty for being the source of my strength.”
He acknowledged and thanked his family and all the people who helped him over the years and for their continuous support.
Serevi stressed the importance of being true to one’s self despite their achievements.
He also shared what his late father Meli Serevi told him before he left for his first Hong Kong 7s tournament in 1989 under coach Ratu Kitione Vesikula.
“You go as Waisale Serevi and you come back as Waisale Serevi.”
Always be humble
He said people should not forfeit their identity because of the big achievements they have made and they should always be humble in success and gracious in defeat. Serevi emphasised on the need for people to hold on to the values that shaped them despite their levels of success in life.
“So no matter what you achieve in life, whether you win this or win that or whether you achieved this or achieved that make sure you have to respect people because it is an attitude of admiration or esteem on the other person.”
He said on a practical level it meant taking in another person’s feelings, thoughts, ideas, wishes and preferences into consideration.
“It is about respecting and valuing people and this includes acknowledging, listening being truthful and accepting them individually.”
Olympic Games victory
In addition, he said the victory of the Fiji men’s 7s team in Rio as an example of how their victory resulted in a nationwide celebration irrespective of one’s race, colour or creed and religion.
Also he emphasised on the importance to be strong willed in whatever life’s pursuits and aspiration one may have.
“The key words that have resonated loudly and clearly after the Fiji Men’s 7s team gold win in Rio are joy, happiness and unity,” Serevi said.
He said those key words point to values such as commitment, sacrifice, perseverance, staying the course, focusing on one’s goal and never giving up.
“If you want to be successful in life you need to work hard because nothing comes easy in life.
He then said people should never make a habit of giving excuses because excuses are for weak people.
Also he stressed the importance for people to identify and set goals for themselves at the same time to work towards it until they have achieved it.
Achieve your goals
Serevi then advised students of USP who were present at the event to stay on course in terms of achieving their goals and to not give in so easily to the temptation of their peers.
“Friends are good but you have to draw the line so that you have to focus on that bigger picture when you’re in school or when you play rugby or work or whatever you’re doing, you left home to come here because of that bigger picture.”
He also reiterated on the idea for youths to hold dear to their moral values especially in regards to caring for others.
“Zero in on caring for people because it is the key to developing intimate relationships and changing the lives of people because how we change and impact others will be in direct proportion to the level of love we put in our relationship with them,” he said.
The event was held last Thursday evening at the USP Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies.
