Aleeza Raza, an Australian-born defender, has been chosen to represent the Fiji U16 team in the upcoming OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Suva, Fiji. Raza, 16, was born in Sydney to parents from Labasa, Fiji—her mother from Bocalevu and her father from Basoga—bringing a legacy of sporting talent to the squad.
She currently plays for Southern Districts Raiders FC, an Australian club, and her family’s passion for football runs deep, especially in Labasa, a town celebrated for its love of the game. Raza credited her father, Ali Raza, for inspiring her to pursue football, stating, “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.”
The athletic inclination in her family goes beyond football; her mother’s grandfather was a professional wrestler, contributing to the family’s rich sporting legacy, which Aleeza is eager to continue. She expressed her pride in representing Fiji, saying, “It feels great representing Fiji; it’s very touchy 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.”
While she faces challenges adjusting to a new culture and environment, Raza finds 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 noted, appreciating the warm reception and support from coaches and teammates. Raza also mentioned that her family would be traveling from Sydney to watch her play this week.