SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Neumi Nanuku is making a name for himself in two different sports, dividing his time between football and rugby, but it is rugby that holds a special place in his heart.
The Ba Sangam College student has built a promising sporting path through football and rugby sevens, taking every opportunity to test himself and pursue his dream of representing Fiji one day.
Nanuku plays midfield for Ba Sangam in football and recently helped the school win the under-17 title at the Extra Fiji Secondary Schools Football Championship.
Just a week before that triumph, he was in Wallis and Futuna playing at first five-eighth for the U18 Nawaka rugby sevens team, where they made it all the way to the final. The quick change from rugby to football was demanding, but Nanuku embraced it.
His return from Wallis and Futuna came at a crucial time for Ba Sangam, with the national school’s championship approaching. Despite having little time to settle back into his routine, he joined his schoolmates and played his part in a successful campaign.
For Nanuku, the two sports offer different challenges and help him develop as an athlete.
Football has given him an opportunity to improve his awareness, movement and understanding of the game, while rugby remains the sport closest to his heart.
Although he enjoys playing football, Nanuku hopes his future will eventually lead him towards the Fiji rugby team.
At the same time, he has not closed the door on football and dreams of one day representing Fiji in either sport.
That ambition is what keeps him working.
At 17, he knows there is still plenty to learn, but his recent experiences have given him confidence that he can compete at a higher level.
His rugby sevens trip to Wallis and Futuna was another important step, allowing him to experience playing outside Fiji and measure himself against new opposition.
His success with Ba Sangam soon after showed his ability to adapt and stay focused despite the demands of a busy sporting schedule.
Nanuku also carries a familiar name in Fiji rugby.
He is the namesake of former Fiji national sevens player Neumi Nanuku, giving him a special connection to the sport he hopes to pursue.
But the teenager from Burenitu, Nalawa, Ra, is determined to create his own identity rather than simply live under a famous name.
His journey is still beginning, and there are many decisions ahead.
For now, he is focused on improving his game, balancing his studies at Ba Sangam and making the most of every opportunity that comes his way.
Whether his pathway eventually leads through rugby or football, the goal remains the same, to wear the Fiji jersey one day.
And with his versatility, ambition and willingness to take on new challenges, Nanuku is already taking the first steps towards that dream.
