Aleeza Raza, an Australian-born defender, has been chosen to represent the Fiji U16 team in the upcoming OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, which will take place in Suva, Fiji.
At just 16 years old and hailing from Sydney, Raza has strong ties to Fiji, as her parents are from Labasa, with her mother originating 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 region known for its fervent support of the sport. In a recent interview, she credited her father, Ali Raza, for encouraging her to pursue football.
“My parents inspired me to take up football, especially my dad,” Raza stated. “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 family’s athletic background extends beyond football, with Raza’s maternal grandfather being a professional wrestler, further enhancing the legacy she is keen to uphold.
“Representing Fiji feels great; it’s an emotional moment for me because the passion comes from a long line of ancestors, our people, and it’s something deeply rooted in our family. This is a proud moment for me, my family, and friends,” she expressed.
Even though adjusting to a different culture can be challenging, Raza finds the experience of being at the camp enriching. “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 support from her teammates and coaching staff.
Raza also mentioned that her family will be traveling from Sydney to support her during the tournament this week.