Teresia Tinanivalu thought of two people when she arrived at her village in the highlands of Naitasiri on Tuesday.
She was humbled by the response of the villagers as she made her way to Navuakece Village where a welcome was organised for her. Images of her late father Vasenai Vakacolati and of her grandmother came to mind.
They played a crucial role in developing her into the person she has become.
The Fijiana Drua flanker was overwhelmed. She was humbled by the reception she received and was proud of her achievements.
“I’m so humbled that they think I am a hero. Because for me, the biggest hero in my life is my grandmother,” she remarked. “I thank the people in the village for being my mum and dad all this time.
“I thank the villagers of Naitasiri for supporting me.
“I challenge every child who thinks there is no future out there, to look at education and sport as a way to do something with your life and make an impact in your community and earn a living.”
In another time and space, Teresia could have been a young woman growing up in the village.
The chores, the farming, fishing and the rest of it, are part and parcel of village life, and are part of growing up in the village setting.
They are an integral part of the life of a young village girl. But Teresia went against the norm.
She challenged herself, and lived her dreams.
That included playing the sport she loves, rugby, at a high level, in the Australian Super W competition. Teresia embraced her talent, worked silently, and stayed focused on her dream to become a Fijiana Drua.
She trained hard and listened to her coaches. She acknowledged the support from her relatives, and her village.
For a young woman who lost her father at a very young age, she was forced to overcome the heartbreaking episode of losing her mother as well when she left them.
Then she had to drop out of school at Year 6 to help her grandmother put food on the table for her siblings.
Life was not kind on her. She could have given up and slipped back into life as a village woman.
She chose not to. She chose the alternative! The 25-year-old and her Drua teammates created history in Melbourne, Australia, when they defeated the Waratahs to win the Super W title.
Her family and fellow villagers know her story too well. They knew about the challenges she had to overcome to get to Australia.
They knew the sacrifices she had to make along the way. They felt her heartache and knew the pain she had within. So when they saw her on television playing in a highly intense competition, they were over with joy and pride.
Teresia never heard their cheers and their screams, but she knew they were out there watching. She knew they were proud of her achievements. It motivated her.
This week, they showed that when they welcomed her home.
Such stories will tug at the heart strings. They show the struggles and the hard work behind the scenes. They stand as testimony of perseverance, dedication and commitment. We are reminded about that today.
We are reminded about hard work and commitment to achieving set goals regardless of circumstances.
Look at the Fijiana Drua’s record! Consider the field of opposition teams.
Now throw in youngsters like Teresia who are raring to prove themselves and have that dance with the big girls, in the big league!
Hope can be a great motivator and a strong support base can be such a powerful inspiration.
