Aleeza Raza, a defender born in Australia, has been chosen to represent Fiji’s U16 team in the upcoming OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, which will take place in Suva, Fiji.
At just 16 years old, Raza has a strong connection to her Fijian roots, as her parents are originally from Labasa, with her mother from Bocalevu and her father from Basoga. Currently, she is playing for the Southern Districts Raiders FC in Australia.
Football is a significant part of Raza’s family heritage, particularly in Labasa, a town renowned for its love of the sport. In an interview, she credited her father, Ali Raza, for inspiring her to pursue football. “My parents inspired me to take up football, especially my dad. Football has been deeply rooted in our family history. My dad asked me to try it out, so we went to the park one day, and it just stuck,” Raza shared.
The athletic legacy continues beyond football in her family, as her mother’s grandfather was a professional wrestler, further motivating Raza to uphold the family’s sports tradition. “It feels great representing Fiji; it’s very touchy for me because the passion comes from a long line of ancestors, our people, and it’s something that is deeply rooted in our family. It makes it a very proud moment for me, my family, and friends,” she expressed.
Though she notes the challenges of adapting to a new culture, Raza finds the experience of being in camp to be rewarding. “The culture difference is a challenge; it’s a bit hard to adapt, but everyone has been very helpful to make it easier,” she said, reflecting on the support she received from her coaches and teammates.
Raza’s family is set to travel from Sydney to support her during the championship games this week.