Seeing her sister represent the Fijiana 7s and 15s teams on the international stage, created a pathway for Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women’s Lock, Jade Coates to live her dream of playing rugby and making a name for herself.
Jade is the younger sister of former Fijiana rep, Brittany Coates and is the youngest of 4 siblings.
Jade says they all played rugby and there is always healthy competition between them but despite that, they are always proud of each other when one of them achieves something great.
The 26-year-old also explained her connection to Fiji and that is through her grandmother who is originally from Nananu Village in Tailevu while her father was born and raised in Fiji up until he was 14 years old before they moved to New Zealand.
She says she was born and raised on a dairy farm in New Zealand but she always has this huge connection to Nananu Village as she always came back when she was young.
Coates says she always looks up to Swire Shipping Fijian Drua lock Isoa Nasilasila as they play in the same position and she always learns a lot from him.
Coates and the Fijian Drua Women’s team presented their i-tatau to the President yesterday at State House as they prepare for their Super W title defence campaign which kicks off next week.
The Drua Women will take on the Queensland Reds Women at 12pm next Sunday in their first match in Ballymore.
