When Jone Wesele was acknowledged for his voluntary work during International Volunteers Day on December 5, he thought back to the years he spent volunteering to boost rugby league across the country.
The 39-year-old and assistant Fiji Bati coach said he began volunteer work for the Fiji National Rugby League because he believed he could make a difference and inspire the lives of many youths who had their sights set on a career in the oval ball game.
The father of two said he began volunteering in 2007.
“I started in rugby league and we later introduced the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League competition,” the Vatoa, Lau, native said.
“There were four teams and we got to travel and visit schools to run sessions with students who were interested. We coached them, taught them the core skills and basics of rugby league.”
Wesele said volunteer work was his labour of love.
“It’s quite emotional to look back and reflect on all the big names that played in the NRL and we were setting the platform in the early days. We would go out for weeks without any money, but we were very passionate. The main aim was to help grow the sport.
“The hard work has paid off. I am now working part-time for the National Rugby League in Fiji and I am really glad that it provides a platform where I get to reach out to the public.”
Wesele said being recognised for his voluntary work on International Volunteers Day was a humbling experience.
“After receiving my certificate, I reflected on the times when I used to volunteer for Fiji National Rugby league and travelled around the country. Sometimes I had to find my own way to help take rugby league to communities in Naitasiri or up in the highlands of Navosa.”
The former national Fiji Bati rep said nowadays he was not only engaged in rugby league, but also in other sporting programs such as Rugby Plus. He said his advice to youths, who often shied away from volunteer work because it was unpaid work, was to trust the hand of God.
“I believe God rewards all of us in due time. We just need to keep working, keep our head down, don’t always focus on getting something for a job well done.
The idea is to serve people without seeking reward.” Wesele said while good-hearted people gave up their time and resources to do volunteer work, the onus was on the recipients to be honest.
“One of the biggest challenges is time management because when you are a volunteer people take advantage of your time without realising the sacrifices that you make.”
Wesele said he was thankful for the opportunity to be one of the assistant coaches for the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
“As I said, regardless of how things turn out, it’s not always about money and when I was asked to volunteer as a coach, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and I will try to give the best that I can for aspiring young players in Fiji.”
Wesele is noted for playing for Fiji.
He played his domestic rugby with the Police Sharks in Fiji, but moved back to his original club that he started off with, having previously played for the Darlington Point, Coleambally Roosters in Australia.
