Australian defender Aleeza Raza has been chosen to represent the Fiji U16 team in the forthcoming OFC U-16 Women’s Championship taking place in Suva, Fiji.
At just 16, Raza has a noteworthy background, being born in Sydney to parents from Labasa, Fiji—her mother from Bocalevu and her father from Basoga. Currently, she plays for the Southern Districts Raiders FC in Australia.
Football is a significant part of Raza’s family heritage, especially in Labasa, a town well-known for its love for the sport. In an interview, Raza credited her father, Ali Raza, for inspiring her to pursue football, saying, “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.”
Athleticism runs in her family, with her mother’s grandfather having been a professional wrestler. Raza expressed her pride in representing Fiji, noting the deep-seated connection to her lineage. “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,” she shared.
Although adapting to a new culture presents challenges, Raza describes her experience at the training camp as valuable. “The culture difference is a challenge; it’s a bit hard to adapt, but everyone has been very helpful to make it easier,” she stated, showing gratitude for the support she has received from her coaches and teammates.
Raza also mentioned that her family will be traveling from Sydney to watch her compete this week.