Aleeza Raza, an Australian-born defender, has been chosen to represent the Fiji U16 team at the upcoming OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Suva, Fiji. The 16-year-old Raza, born in Sydney to parents from Labasa, Fiji—her mother from Bocalevu and her father from Basoga—brings with her a strong family legacy in sports.
Currently, Raza plays for Southern Districts Raiders FC in Australia. Her family’s connection to football runs deep, particularly in Labasa, a town known for its fervor for the sport. In an interview, Raza revealed that her father, Ali Raza, was instrumental in encouraging her to pursue football.
“My parents inspired me to take up football, especially my dad. Football has been deeply rooted in our family history. My dad asked me to try it out, so we went to the park one day, and it just stuck,” she said.
The family’s passion for sports extends beyond football, as her mother’s grandfather was a professional wrestler, reinforcing the athletic legacy that Aleeza aims to uphold.
“It feels great representing Fiji; it’s very emotional for me because the passion comes from a long line of ancestors, our people, and it’s something that is deeply rooted in our family. It makes it a very proud moment for me, my family, and friends,” Aleeza expressed.
Raza also mentioned that although adapting to a new culture can be challenging, she finds the experience of camp life rewarding. “The culture difference is a challenge; it’s a bit hard to adapt, but everyone has been very helpful to make it easier,” she said, noting the warm support she has received from her coaches and teammates.
To cheer her on, Raza’s family will be traveling from Sydney to watch her play this week.