“IT IS our love and passion for the sport that kept us going. This is where we are different from the boys, whether there is money there for us or not, whether we get issues or not, we just need the support of every Fijian for women’s rugby.”
Those were the words of Telecom Fijiana captain Ana Maria Roqica as she speaks of the challenges women face in rugby, a male dominated sport in Fiji.
Roqica has been playing rugby for the past nine years, but the road has been a roller-coaster ride for her since she decoded to be a rugby player rather than a netballer or even pursuing her education.
Originally from Vakativa Village in Cakaudrove, Vanua Levu, Roqica was raised at her mother’s village in Nabukavesi, Namosi.
From a very young age, Roqica recalls that she always love rugby and would play with her male cousins in the village.
“Ever since I was a small girl, I always played rugby with my cousins and my teachers would tell me to play netball and not rugby,” Roqica said.
“I love netball too, but because I’m short, I don’t want to play netball.
“I love rugby and at secondary school, I would play rugby with my school uniform and my parents would growl at me for coming home with my dirty uniform.
“I have gone through a lot since the day I started playing rugby,” Roqica said.
She said she didn’t get the support she needed from home. Being the eldest child in the family, her parents had something else in mind for her— to be educated and get a good job instead of playing rugby.
“My mum and dad weren’t supportive when I started rugby. I was supposed to go to school and finish it, but I ran away to Nadi because I wanted to play rugby, so I started doing things on my own.
“I used to ask some of my uncles and aunties to pay my fare. I always walk up from the bus stand to Marist Brothers HIgh School ground (Suva) and would do the same after training before I catch the bus back to Nabukavesi,” Roqica said.
She said she noticed that her parents’ attention were more on her siblings. She claimed things would be done for them because they concentrated on their school work, but it was not to be for her.
“My parents always support my younger two sisters.
“They were good in school and they had the support of my parents, I’m the eldest, but when I saw that, I was kind of jealous because all that my parents did were for them and not me, so I tried to do my own.”
The treatment was probably a blessing in disguise, it made her work hard in achieving her rugby dream by becoming a Fiji rugby rep.
“From there I kept pushing myself and when I was selected for the 2011 Pacific Games, I wanted to prove to my parents that I am better in rugby than using pen and notebooks,” she said.
Today, thankful that she was under the mentorship of former Fijiana coach Elenoa Kunatuba who pushed her beyond her limits.
Roqica said if it wasn’t for Kunatuba’s faith in her, she wouldn’t have made it far.
“I was always a shy girl and when Noa named me captain, I was happy, but at the same time I would tell her that I am shy and wouldn’t be able to speak to the players.
“She continued to push me saying I was one of her best players, so I started to believe in myself and it has also gotten me this far.
“I never thought I would be the captain of this Fijiana team, but I’m grateful that Noa made me believe in myself years back and she was one that motivated me to be where I am today.”
It was in 2012 when Kunatuba gave Roqica the role to lead the Fijiana side which she has led until today.
Nine years from when she joined the sport of rugby taking up the challenge of being called names because of her choice, Roqica has asked for one thing alone and she has her fingers crossed that Fijians at home would give them the same support they get from Fijians overseas in any rugby tournament they take part in.
“We just want the support. Our love for rugby is not because of the money or the clothing. That’s where we are different from the boys. Passion and the love for this game is why we are here. If there is no money there for us it is not an issue for us at all. That’s why I love these girls. We are not here for money, we just need support for women’s rugby team. I know that if we get the support we need, we will also be up there with the boys, and be a top team in the world.
“Our coach Iliesa Tanivula told us that some of these girls are top rugby players. I know and believe in these girls and they just need support from Fijians here at home. We get the support when we go on international tournaments and we believe that their support has motivated us, especially in Dubai.
“Every Fijian in Dubai was there and it motivated us and because of them, we managed to finish in fifth place and now for the next leg, we hope to finish at 4th place in Sydney.”
