Family pride as only daughter captains Yasawa U13 at Kajiana Rugby Competition

For the first time in her life, a proud mother made the long journey from Yasawa to Suva, not for work, not for errands, but to witness her daughter Kelera Sauturaga captain the Yasawa U13 Kajiana grade rugby team in the Vodafone Kaji and Kajiana Rugby Competition at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

Mareta Qaqa, who had initially discouraged her daughter from playing rugby to focus on her studies, shared her story on the sidelines of the competition to fijivillage News today.

Qaqa says she had no idea her daughter was playing for the Yasawa U13 Kajiana team, let alone captain it, until she was told by her family members to go watch the Yasawa Kajiana team play this afternoon.

She said Sauturaga had started showing interest in playing rugby in her school, Yaqeta Primary School in Yasawa.

She says her siblings were the ones who insisted on letting her pursue her passion, as she is the first sibling to represent Yasawa.

She adds Sauturaga is the only girl in the family, and the youngest, and her sons are all proud to be supporting their only sister in the competition.

Looking at the Kajiana results in the U13 grade, Tailevu won against Rewa 5-0, Suva Black thrashed Naitasiri 36-0, Northland edged Macuata 28-14, and Suva White beat Tavua/Vatukoula 17-0. In the Kaji U13 grade, Ovalau beat Naitasiri 24-0, Cakaudrove defeated Waidina 29-0, and Taveuni edged Ovalau 15-3. The competition is underway at the HFC Bank Stadium.