The sacrifices of Maria Rokotuisiga’s family are what keep the 23-year-old Fijiana 7s rep pushing whenever she feels that the going is getting tough.
The Navua-based policewoman is part of the final 15-member Fijiana 7s side for the Paris Olympics.
Rokotuisiga says this is a dream come true for her as she never thought she would reach this stage of her rugby career and become an Olympian.
She adds being the lone breadwinner in the family has taught her a lot of things in life and one of them is to be a responsible person.
Rokotuisiga started her rugby career while attending Gospel High School and then joined the Striders Women’s Rugby Club before joining the Police Women’s Rugby Club where she managed to also find employment after being recruited into the Police Force.
Rokotuisiga and the Fijiana 7s side will depart our shores today as they begin their journey to France.
The Fijiana is in Pool A alongside New Zealand, Canada and China.
They will take on Canada at 3.30am on the 29th of this month in their first pool match, followed by their second match against China at 7am on the same day. They will then take on New Zealand at 2.30am on the 30th in their last pool match. The Women’s medal quarter final will kick off at 7am on the 30th, and the semi finals will begin at 1.30am on the 31st with the final kicking off at 5.45am on the same day.
Meanwhile, the men’s 7s team plays Uruguay in their first pool match at 3am next Thursday before playing the USA at 6.30am Thursday in their second pool match.
They will then meet France at 1.30am next Friday in their final pool match.
