Fiji Airways men’s rugby sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau has made it clear that his priority for this year is to dedicate more time to his family. The 39-year-old, originally from Namuka-i-Lau, has been away from his loved ones who reside in the United States since taking on his coaching role in March of last year. Despite regular visits from his wife, Mere Tavu Fa, and their children, Kolinisau is eager to enhance the time spent with them.

Kolinisau stated, “I just want more family time, win the HSBC SVNS series, and strive to be a better person than I was last year.” As a 2016 Olympic gold medalist, he acknowledges the importance of personal growth alongside professional development, expressing intentions to improve as both an individual and a coach.

Since stepping into the coaching position, Kolinisau has led the Fiji men’s team to remarkable achievements, including a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games shortly after his appointment and their first Cup title win in Dubai last month, which ended a 25-tournament winless streak.

Looking forward, Kolinisau aims to sustain the team’s excellent performance as they currently lead the HSBC SVNS series with a total of 36 points, ahead of Spain and France. He also has plans to enhance his coaching methods by learning from other experienced coaches.

In his role as an ambassador for the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s tournament taking place next week at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, Kolinisau will announce the national team for the event. Following this tournament, he will select the squad for the upcoming Perth 7s tournament scheduled for January 24-26.

Kolinisau’s dedication to balancing family commitments with his professional responsibilities serves as an inspirational example for many athletes. His double focus on nurturing personal relationships while striving for success in sports illustrates that achieving professional excellence can coexist harmoniously with personal fulfillment. This year holds great promise for Kolinisau, with expectations of both family bonding and continued success with the Fiji men’s rugby sevens team.