It was all a dream for 27-year-old Kelevi Natokalau to represent his country in the Australian Football League (AFL), and now he stands on the cusp of achieving that dream.
This year, he aims to prove himself in the trials for the Fiji team, set to be held next week at Albert Park, with the goal of competing in the Oceania Cup in December. Originally from Burewai Nakorotubu, Ra, Kelevi’s journey with AFL began in 2015 when he first encountered the sport through social media and advertisements.
His passion for the game grew over time, leading him to fall in love with every aspect of it.
Raised in Fiji and later moving to the United Kingdom, Kelevi seized the opportunity to further immerse himself in AFL by joining the UK club, Boston Pirates. Now, he is back in Fiji with hopes of making it to the final team and representing his country.
“I’ve always loved AFL and wanted to play for Fiji. I started playing in school in Fiji, then later moved to the UK where I managed to join Boston Pirates club,” said Natokalau.
“Now, I’m back in Fiji and ready to show my skills in the trials for the national team. My dream is to make my family proud and wear the white jersey on the international stage. The competition will be tough, but I’m ready to give it my all and represent Fiji in the Oceania Cup. I’ve been training hard, and I’m determined to succeed. Let’s see what the trials bring.”
As Kelevi approaches the trials with determination and a strong desire to succeed, he is ready to give his best effort to earn a place on the final team.