Meleama Tumalevu, a winger for the Ba girl’s Under-14 rugby team, is competing in memory of her mother, who passed away in September after a battle with breast cancer. Despite the emotional pain of her loss, Tumalevu expressed gratitude for her father’s support during this challenging time.
“My mother passed away on September 16, and we buried her two weeks later,” Tumalevu shared. She fondly recalled her mother’s encouragement at her rugby games, emphasizing her mother’s advice to play smart and to stay injury-free.
In the face of adversity, Tumalevu’s father has been a source of inspiration, urging her to focus on her performance and not dwell on her mother’s death as her training camp began at St Theresa Primary School. Aspiring to join the Fijian Drua women’s team someday, Tumalevu looks up to Fijiana lock Asinate Serevi for her skills in both offense and defense.
The 14-year-old, who is also involved in athletics and netball, plays for Ratu Rusiate Nabuta Memorial School and hails from Tawava village in Kadavu with family roots in Nailaga Village, Ba. Despite a recent setback where her team lost 21–14 to Taveuni on the first day of the Vodafone Kaji rugby competition at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium, Tumalevu remains optimistic about the team’s potential to reach the finals and clinch the trophy.
With her uncle, former Fiji men’s sevens captain Waisea Nacuqu, as a role model, Tumalevu believes that her faith has been vital in overcoming the challenges she faces. She quoted her coach, highlighting their team motto in Ba dialect: “E kuca ya,” meaning that one can win any battle with determination.
Results from recent matches show Ba’s determination, with scores from other games including a decisive 31–12 win over Nasinu and a 31–0 defeat of Waidina.
Tumalevu’s story is a poignant reminder of resilience in the face of loss, and her passion for rugby serves as an inspiring example for young athletes. Her commitment to honor her mother’s memory through her achievements in sports is indeed a testament to her strength and promise for the future.
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