THE proud parents of young Fiji Pearls new rep Kelera Nawai just cannot wait to watch their rising star shine against the world heavyweight the Silver Ferns next Monday.
Josefata and Seruwaia Nawai of Vatutu Vilage in Nadi are still trying to come to terms with the selection of their youngest daughter to take on the best in her debut game for Fiji.
Emotional mum Seruwaia said her daughter had made the family proud.
“We are humbled with her sudden rise to netball fame and we just could not believe that she will be playing against the Ferns,” said Seruwaia.
“She (Kelera) may be new to this level of competition but she is not new to netball and we are optimistic that she will rise to the occasion and deliver the goods expected of her.
“This is one of the best moments in our family and we will try our best to be at her side cheering on her.
“I have been with her during the past 10 years of her netball career and I will try my best to witness her first game in the national colours.”
The New Zealand-based shooter is one of the two new reps named by Fiji netball mentor Kate Carpenter to face the Kiwis and Samoa in the Oceania Netball Tri series event.
Kelera formerly played for the Nadi-based Seniteteva netball team under the Lautoka Netball Association before securing a netball scholarship to play in New Zealand.
Seruwaia believed that her daughter’s one-year stint in New Zealand would enable her to adapt well at the new environment.
“Playing in the national colour is always a huge achievement for any player —— this is an inspirational itself for the game against the Ferns and Samoa,” she said.
“But I also believed that her one-year stint in New Zealand under professional coaches will help her to do well at the games.”
Fifty eight-year-old Josefata said the achievement made by his daughter had opened anew chapter in the village’s history books.
He said Kelera had joined the list of well known players from Vatutu Village to become national reps.
“This village is also home to the rugby brothers Alivereti Dere and Pauliasi Tabulutu and I am honoured that my daughter has joined them as national reps,” he said.
“We are looking forward to seeing my daughter at the upcoming Oceania series and I am confident she will do well at the meet.”
Kelera is the youngest player in the side after having celebrated her 17th birthday last December.
Her Pearls’ team will face the Ferns in their opening Series on Monday before facing Samoa on Wednesday.
