1 week Ago By Post-Courier
AT just 14 years old, Vasiti Rekisa is already making headlines in the Fijian sports scene. Born in Papua New Guinea and hailing from Ialibu, Southern Highlands Province, PNG, with maternal roots in Ra Province, Fiji, Vasiti has recently caught the attention of Fijian National Rugby League (FNRL) stalwart and national women’s team coach, Josaia Rabele. Over the weekend, she earned her place in the prestigious Fiji Bulikula Rising Rookie Academy, a development pathway for young female rugby league athletes aged 15 to 22.
Rabele and the FNRL coaches were out on Saturday at Albert Park, Suva, to identify the future of Fiji Women’s Rugby League. It is part of Fiji’s development pathway goals in ensuring they remain competitive in the international stage against the likes of Australia, New Zealand, England, PNG, and other Pacific Island countries. Currently a Year 10 student at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School (MGM) in Suva, Vasiti is on an academic and sports scholarship.
Her track record is nothing short of exceptional. For the past two years, she has been a key member of the MGM Girls Athletics Squad, where she quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the field events. Her talent in the shot-put event has already taken her to national and international platforms.
She clinched gold at the Coca-Cola Fiji Secondary Schools Games and followed that up with another gold while representing Fiji at the Oceania Athletics Championship in the U16 division last year. These achievements underscore her natural athleticism and dedication to her craft. However, Vasiti is not only excelling in athletics— her rugby journey is just as impressive.
She captained the MGM U18 Girls Rugby 7s team and also served as the Vice Captain for the 2024 Raluve MGM Girls Rugby team, all while only 13 years old at the time. Her leadership, strength, and skills on the rugby field have now propelled her into national contention in a few years’ time for both rugby league and rugby union. Despite her numerous sporting commitments, Vasiti remains focused on her academics.
Known for her discipline and strong work ethic, she continues to maintain academic excellence at MGM, balancing her classroom achievements with her sporting pursuits. With her recent inclusion in the Bulikula Rising Rookie Academy, Vasiti Rekisa is on a promising path toward representing Fiji at the highest level in women’s sports, particularly in Rugby. Her journey is just beginning, and she stands as a proud example of the new wave of multi-talented, hardworking young women who are making their mark in sport.
