Vika Nakacia faced hardships in pursuing a rugby career. All her hard work has been paid off after she was named to be part of the Fiji women’s sevens team for next weekend’s Dubai tournament.

“I started playing rugby league in 2020 but then I took up sevens rugby two years ago,” he said.

“I play for Ezers, a club that was formed last year. For rugby league I played for the Namoli Wests Tigers team where we reached the semi-final.”

Nakacia said she uses all critics leveled at her to improve on her game.

“They usually say that rugby is not suitable for women and sometimes I don’t have enough money to buy proper equipment.

“At times in Lautoka, I don’t have bus fare to go for training, so I walk from Kashmir to Nadovu Park and back.”

Nakacia said her parents had initially didn’t agree with her decision to play rugby.

“I started playing rugby when I was in Year 13 at Ba Provincial Free Bird Institute in Lautoka but I did not complete my education.”

Nakacia said after making the team, she is now hoping to com-plete her high school education and further her studies in accounting.

“I urge all young girls to trust themselves, if you want to try rug-by then you can. With God’s plan nothing is impossible,” she said.

‘I’m a fan of Fiji men’s sevens player Jerry Tuwai as I like his sidesteps and meeting him was a surreal experience.”

Nakacia said Tuwai advised her to trust the process and keep striving for her goals.

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