Fiji Airways men’s rugby sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau is keen to prioritize family time in the upcoming year. The 39-year-old, hailing from Namuka-i-Lau, has been living apart from his family, which resides in the United States, since he took over the coaching role in March last year. While his wife, Mere Tavu Fa, and their children do regularly visit him in Fiji, Kolinisau is eager to create more opportunities to be with them.

“I just want more family time, win the HSBC SVNS series, and strive to be a better person than I was last year,” Kolinisau stated. As a gold medalist from the 2016 Olympics, he is committed to self-improvement, recognizing areas where he can enhance his personal and professional life.

Under his leadership, the national team achieved significant milestones, including a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games soon after he took on the coaching role. Additionally, he guided the team to victory in Dubai last month, marking their first Cup title after a challenging run of 25 tournaments without a win. This upcoming year, Kolinisau aims to maintain the team’s strong performance and further develop his coaching capabilities by learning from other experienced coaches.

Kolinisau will also serve as the ambassador for the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s tournament next week at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, where he will announce the national side for the event. Following this, he will select the team for the Perth 7s tournament set for January 24-26. Currently, the Fiji men’s rugby sevens team leads the HSBC SVNS series with 36 points, four points ahead of Spain.

Kolinisau’s focus on balancing family life with his coaching responsibilities serves as an inspiring example for athletes everywhere. His dedication to both personal and professional growth illustrates that success can indeed be accompanied by meaningful family connections.

In summary, Osea Kolinisau is set for a transformative year ahead, looking to enhance his coaching abilities while cherishing time with his loved ones, reflecting the importance of personal values alongside his commitments in sports. With such a focus, both his family life and the team’s performance are likely to flourish.