From Namuana, Tavuki in Kadavu, to wearing the Crest Fiji Pearls dress, 20-year-old Vuta Tokaduadua is living a dream built on family, sacrifice and determination.
Her first appearance for the Crest Fiji Pearls came during the Spirit Series in Sydney in July, marking a proud moment in a journey she never expected to take.
Netball was not always part of Vuta’s plans.
“I wasn’t interested in netball at first,” she said. “My mum used to take me to watch my sisters play. It looked confusing, but they taught me the game. Before long, I was playing for Vatuwaqa Primary School.”
From there, her journey grew from Suva Grammar School to Suva age-group teams and eventually national age-group recognition, including a World Youth Cup trialist call-up.
Her biggest inspiration has been her older sister, Lili Tokaduadua, who now plays professional netball in New Zealand with the Stars.
“It has been a real blessing to share this journey with Lili because she is my role model,” Vuta said. “She motivates me to never give up and to keep chasing my dream while making Mum proud.”
Lili left Fiji at just 15 to pursue her own netball dream. For Vuta, watching her sister make that sacrifice showed her what hard work and commitment could achieve.
But behind Vuta’s journey is a mother who sacrificed everything for her and her sibling.
Her father, the late Aisake Nadolo, a former Fiji basketball and rugby representative, passed away when Vuta was just three years old. His time with her was short, but his sporting legacy remains part of the family.
Her mother, Eleni, raised four children on her own in Kinoya, holding the family together through years of sacrifice and perseverance.
“I am incredibly proud of Vuta,” Eleni said. “Representing Fiji has always been her dream. She is continuing our family tradition of serving the country through sport.”
For Vuta, every time she puts on the Crest Fiji Pearls dress, she thinks of her mother.
“Knowing what Mum has done for me is my biggest motivation every time I step onto the court,” she said. “I want to make her proud because she’s given everything to get me here.”
Now studying for a Certificate in Sports Science at Fiji National University, Vuta sees her Crest Pearls debut as more than just an opportunity to play international netball. It is a chance to learn, grow and honour the people who helped her get there.
“My goal is to learn from the experienced players, improve my game, and give everything I have whenever I step on court.”
And to the young girls across Fiji, her message is simple:
“The road will get tough, but never doubt yourself. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else. You are your own competition.”
From a little girl watching her sisters play, to wearing the colours of Fiji, she now carries her family’s story onto the international stage, with her mother’s sacrifices in her heart and a dream of making Fiji proud.
The Crest Fiji Pearls are now preparing for the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Qualifier Oceania, where Fiji will battle for a place on the world stage.
Fiji is ready. The journey to Sydney 2027 starts now.
Netball Fiji continues its Road to Netball World Cup 2027 campaign as it builds towards qualification and the global stage.
