KINISALOTE Vusama has had to overcome more than challenges on the rugby league field to reach the opportunity now waiting for her in Australia.
The 20-year-old from Naboutini, Serua, with maternal links to Baravi in Navakasiga, Bua, is one of five Fiji Bulikula players selected for the Rise Rookie Tour – Harvey Norman Invitational.
For Vusama, the tour represents another step towards the biggest goal of her rugby league career — securing an NRLW contract.
Her journey began at Nasikawa Vision Secondary School, where she first represented her school in rugby league.
After the 2021 Secondary School League season, she joined Vusu Raiders Rugby League Club, continuing to develop her game and pursue her ambition of playing at a higher level.
But away from rugby league, Vusama was dealing with challenges that tested her strength from a young age.
“I’ve faced difficulties in my life. I lost my dad at the age of four and was raised by my mom, a single parent since,” she said.
Raised by her mother, Vusama remained focused on her dreams.
Her determination eventually took her to the international stage when she was selected for the Fiji Bulikula women’s team for the 2023 South Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.
The opportunity came with a sacrifice as Vusama did not sit her Year 13 examination that year after travelling with the national side, choosing to pursue the chance to represent Fiji.
That experience became an important turning point in her rugby league journey, opening the door to further opportunities beyond Fiji.
But Vusama’s journey was soon tested by a serious health setback.
She was admitted to intensive care after becoming ill and was later told she could no longer travel by plane.
For a player whose rugby league pathway was beginning to take her beyond Fiji, the setback could have brought her ambitions to a halt.
Instead, she continued.
Her family remained a constant source of strength, supporting her through difficult periods and helping her travel to training each day, including providing bus fare so she could continue pursuing rugby league.
“I’m thankful for the support from my family for their upbringing and during the hard times,” she said.
Vusama continued to build her rugby league experience, with another opportunity coming in 2024 when she attended the Australia Rise Rookie squad.
In 2025, she travelled to Canada to play for the Bulikula, adding another international chapter to her development.
Those experiences have helped shape Vusama as a player and given her valuable exposure to rugby league outside Fiji.
Now she is back in Australia, but this time with an even bigger objective.
As one of five Bulikula players selected for the Rise Rookie Tour, Vusama wants to make the opportunity count.
“I don’t want to come back empty-handed. I want to achieve my goals and secure a contract with the NRLW,” she said.
For Vusama, the Australian tour is not simply another international experience.
It is a chance to showcase her ability, test herself against new competition and move closer to the professional career she has worked towards.
Her journey has taken her from school rugby league at Nasikawa Vision Secondary School, to Vusu Raiders, the Bulikula and international opportunities in the Solomon Islands, Australia and Canada.
Now, she wants the next chapter to be even bigger.
“To the young people out there, pursue your dreams,” Vusama said.
For the young woman from Naboutini, the message comes from experience.
She has faced loss, health challenges and personal difficulties, but each setback has strengthened her determination to keep moving forward.
Now, in Australia, Vusama has another opportunity to turn that resilience into achievement and take another step towards the dream she refuses to let go — earning an NRLW contract.
