Ba Women’s Rugby Team Soars: Five Players Selected for Fiji’s High-Performance Unit!

The Ba Women’s Rugby team has celebrated a significant achievement this season, evidenced by the selection of five of its players for the Fiji Rugby Union’s High-Performance Unit (HPU). This milestone not only marks a proud moment for the athletes but also highlights the growing prominence of women’s rugby within the Ba community.

The selected players—Mere Watiqolo, Ilisapeci Molikula, Salote Vuniwaqa, Aseri Delai, and team captain Asenaca Naio—were among 30 athletes chosen following their participation in the ‘Na Soko’ competition, a groundbreaking tournament designed to elevate the standards of women’s rugby across Fiji.

Four of the selected players, who previously represented Yasawa, have recently joined the Ba Women’s team, bringing invaluable strength and experience to the squad. Asenaca Naio, the only player remaining from last year’s Ba roster, expressed her gratitude and pride at this opportunity. “Coming from a small town like Ba and making it into the FRU High Performance Unit is a real achievement. It gives us hope and motivation to keep working hard,” she stated.

The accomplishments of these athletes not only reflect their individual talents but also signify a larger movement toward recognizing and nurturing talent from smaller communities within the Western Division. As women’s rugby continues to gain traction, the Ba Women’s Rugby team’s development serves as an inspiring testament to the potential of female athletes and the promise of a brighter future for women’s sports in the region.

Additionally, the Ba Women’s Rugby team is also undertaking innovative initiatives within their community focused on sustainability and empowerment. Their efforts, which include a 15-acre farming project, contribute not only to their rugby needs but also to long-term personal and community development.

The combination of dedicated training, community support, and strategic initiatives positions the Ba Women’s Rugby team for continued growth, empowering women and fostering pride in their local and national rugby achievements. This positive trajectory gives hope for a future where female athletes receive the recognition and opportunities they rightly deserve.