Anastacia Shum Cottrell-Manumanunitoga, representing Fiji Bulikula, is excited to return to Fiji after nine years and is eager to compete for her country and family this weekend. The 23-year-old takes pride in representing both her team and her village of Wainimakutu, Namosi on the international stage.
“I am very excited to play this weekend and to represent my country. Playing for Fiji is what matters most, so all the players will be giving their best against our opponents the Cook Islands,” she stated.
Returning home, Manumanunitoga is particularly keen to reconnect with her family, having been away for so long. Born and raised in Australia, she often visits her family in Fiji and was emotional upon reuniting with them this week. “It was an emotional moment for me, seeing my family this week, and I’m so excited to play in front of them and do my best.”
She comes from a rugby league family background, with her older brother Tevita Cottrell and brother-in-law Isaac Lumelume also having represented Fiji in the sport. “My older brother Tevita Cottrell played for the Fiji Bati in 2018, and my brother-in-law Isaac Lumelume represented the country in 2019. I will be the first girl to represent the family, to play for my country and Bulikula, so I’m happy. No matter the outcome this weekend, we are all proud to wear the Fiji jersey and showcase our family heritage.”
The Bulikula team will compete against the Cook Islands Moana at 6 pm on Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Leave a comment