SOLO Baleisolomone’s story isn’t just about rugby; it’s about building a legacy from humble beginnings.
By trade, Solo is a construction site manager in the UK.
Day in, day out, he builds structures, solves problems, and takes responsibility for getting things done the right way. But beyond the hard hats and site plans, there’s a deeper calling that drives him, one rooted in family, culture, and giving others a chance.
Rugby became that vehicle.
With no funding, no shortcuts, and no guarantees, Solo founded Kaiviti Rugby Academy (KRA) UK. It started with a vision of creating opportunities for young players, especially those connected to Fijian rugby culture, to be seen, developed, and believed in. What he built wasn’t just an academy. It became a home. A place where discipline is taught, identity is embraced, and potential is unlocked.
And that vision quickly turned into action on the big stage. KRA 7s stepped into the highly competitive London International Tournament 7s Series, one of the toughest 7s circuits in the UK, and completed all three tournaments in the series.
From starting with nothing to competing across multiple elite events, it was a statement of intent. The results weren’t just about wins or losses; it was proof that KRA belongs, that the pathway is real, and that something powerful is being built.
But Solo didn’t stop there.
In one of the most powerful chapters of his journey, he took in eight young Fijian girls, welcoming them into his own home, providing not just coaching, but accommodation, support, and a family environment.
Under the Lilian Rugby team, he developed them, believed in them, and gave them a platform many never thought possible.
He then led them into the same elite arena: The London international tournament 7s series, where they competed with pride, passion, and purpose. And then came history.
At Harpenden 7s, that same group went on to win, becoming the first Fijian women’s team to win a UK Women’s Elite 7s tournament. It wasn’t just a victory on the field. It was a moment that represented sacrifice, belief, and opportunity coming together. A group that started with a dream, guided by one man’s vision, stood at the top and made history.
But the real story of Solo isn’t just in the teams he’s built; it’s in the lives he’s shaped, starting with his own children.
His daughter, Lukcyana, lived his legacy. From the early days of being coached by her father, learning the game step by step, she has grown into a high-level athlete now playing with Oaklands College under the Saracens Girls Academy. She has also earned her place in the England U18 girls player development group, and has already stepped into an England camp, an incredible milestone, with her journey still only just beginning. That progression didn’t happen by chance. It was built, through sacrifice, consistency, belief, and a father who refused to let limits define what was possible.
Alongside her, Solo’s son, Tui, is carving his own path.
A proud competitor, Tui stepped into adult rugby with Shelford RFC’s 1st team, showing resilience after time away from the game and making his mark in his first full season. His journey, like his sister’s, reflects the same values their father lives by: sheer determination, pride, and perseverance.
For Solo, this is what it’s all about. It’s about showing his children and every player he coaches that where you start doesn’t define where you finish. It’s about turning setbacks into fuel. It’s about building people, not just players.
Through KRA UK, Solo continues to push that message forward. Whether it’s running masterclasses, competing at elite level, or building relationships with organisations like the Fiji Rugby Union, his mission remains the same, to open doors that were once closed.
His story is still being written. But one thing is already clear: Solo isn’t just building a rugby academy. He’s building a legacy.
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AVANEESH RAMAN is the content curator of blog The A Connection – https:://theaconnection.blogspot.com/. For more, log onto www.fijitimes.com.fj
