Former Fijiana XV player and Suva Women's rugby team Strength and Conditioning Coach Mere Moto has reflected on her decade-long rugby journey, which came full circle when she finally received her official Test cap at the same stadium where she made her international debut earlier this month.
Moto made her Fijiana debut against Papua New Guinea at the then ANZ Stadium 10 years ago.
A decade later, she returned to the same venue, now HFC Bank Stadium, where she finally received her official Test cap.
Speaking on fijivillage Her-Story with Temalesi Vono, Moto says her journey in rugby has been nothing short of amazing.
She says moving from being a player to becoming a strength and conditioning coach has allowed her to remain involved in the sport she loves while contributing in a different way.
Her interest in strength and conditioning was also influenced by her experience playing with a women’s rugby club in Australia, where one coach had to take on several roles, including coaching, strength and conditioning and management.
This motivated Moto to return to study.
She enrolled in a Certificate and Trade Diploma in Sports Science at Fiji National University before gaining her World Rugby accreditation as a Strength and Conditioning Coach and later becoming a World Rugby Educator.
She says she never expected rugby to become something she would remain involved in for the rest of her life.
Today, she is continuing to contribute to women’s rugby through her work with Suva Women’s Rugby, using the experience she gained as a player and coach to help shape the next generation.
Moto is also the host of LegendFM Quiet Storm show from 7pm to midnight.
