Fiji Airways men’s rugby sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau has expressed his strong desire to prioritize family time in the upcoming year. At 39 years old and hailing from Namuka-i-Lau, Kolinisau has been separated from his family, who reside in the United States, since he took over the coaching role in March 2024. While his wife, Mere Tavu Fa, and their children make regular visits to Fiji, Kolinisau is keen to establish more opportunities to be together.

“I just want more family time, win the HSBC SVNS series, and strive to be a better person than I was last year,” he stated, reflecting on his commitment to personal growth in conjunction with his coaching responsibilities. As a 2016 Olympic gold medalist, Kolinisau recognizes the need for improvement both as an individual and as a coach.

Under his leadership, the Fiji men’s team has achieved remarkable success, including winning a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games shortly after he began coaching. More recently, he guided the team to their first Cup title in Dubai, ending a lengthy 25-tournament winless streak. Moving forward, Kolinisau aims to sustain the team’s high performance, currently leading the HSBC SVNS series with 36 points, while learning from other experienced coaches to refine his strategies.

In his role as ambassador for the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s tournament next week at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, Kolinisau will announce the national team for this three-day event. Following this, he will finalize selections for the Perth 7s tournament set for January 24-26.

Kolinisau’s dedication to balancing his professional commitments with family life serves as an inspiring example for many athletes, demonstrating that achievements in sports can coexist with nurturing personal relationships. This year holds immense potential for both Kolinisau and the Fiji men’s rugby sevens team, emphasizing the importance of personal values alongside professional success.

In summary, Osea Kolinisau’s journey is centered on creating a harmonious balance between family ties and coaching aspirations, illustrating that focus on both personal fulfillment and athletic excellence can lead to a fruitful year ahead.