Semisi Matawalu never imagined he would one day see his son, Semi Valemei, play for the Vodafone Fiji Bati at home. The native of Navidamu in Macuata expressed his gratitude for this opportunity last weekend.
Matawalu, along with 14 other immediate family members, traveled from Vanua Levu to watch Valemei compete against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Although the Fiji Bati lost 10-22, Matawalu was thrilled to see his son score a try.
“I’ve only seen Semi on TV; I feel blessed to have witnessed him play for Fiji at home,” he stated. “When he was scouted by coach Waisake Kativerata to play rugby league in Australia, I never doubted his potential; I knew he was destined for greatness. I’m grateful to the coach for giving him that chance; it has been rewarding for our family, especially financially. He has brought pride to our family and village.”
Valemei, 25, covered all travel and ticket costs for his family’s trip from his village over the weekend. He left home in 2018 as a student at Seaqaqa Central College and spent a year with the Caloundra Sharks in Sunshine Coast before joining the Canberra Raiders Under-20 team. A year later, he was included in the 30-member NRL squad.
Valemei made his Bati debut in 2019 and played his first NRL game with the Canberra Raiders in 2020. He signed with the North Queensland Cowboys last year and played 18 games in the 2024 NRL season, helping the team finish fifth on the points table.