She is a former Fijian Women’s representative to the Australian Football League’s (AFL or known as Aussie Rules) International Cup competition.

Today, Siteri Tadrau, is one of the key players in the Nanukuloa Women’s rugby side that face Serua in the Vodafone Vanua Championship semifinal at Garvey Park in Tavua.

“I was a former Aussie Rules player and represented Fiji at the 2014 and 2017 International Cup,” she said.

“I chose to play for the Nanukuloa women’s team because there were a lot of touching stories about the women that I play with.”

Tadrau said their team made up of six high school students, four single mothers, four women who are in their early twenties and are involved with farming. Also in the mix are three working women and four tertiary students.

“They are solid players. Most of these women play rugby as they look for opportunities in life. That is being selected to the Fijiana squad, job opportunities like joining the Police or Army. For some women it is for the love of the game and a way to keep healthy,” she said.

Tadrau indicated that despite the challenges of playing rugby all these women are going about their daily cooking, cane harvesting, farming, washing and cleaning chores.

She said they were hopeful that their men’s senior team beat Rewa in today’s semifinal and open the door for them to play in the Skipper Cup competition next year.

Tadrau hails from Nawairuku Village in Ra and is a student at the Fiji National University (FNU).

“I’m pursing a Bachelor in Finance, Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management.”

She said they were grateful to the Fiji Rugby Union for securing sponsorships from Skipper and Vodafone to enable women to participate in rugby.

“It is important to support and boosts the confidence of all women especially those in the rural areas,” Tadrau said.

The Nanukuloa women’s team is captained by Nunia Kawa of Namuaimada Village and coached by Etuate Navunivalu.

WHAT’S ON TODAY

Vodafone Vanua semifinal at Garvey Park, Tavua: 11am Nanukuloa Women v Serua Women, 1pm Nanukuloa Under-19 v Ba Under-19, 3pm Nanukuloa v Rewa.

Admission: $15 stand, $10 ground, $2 children.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj