SHE maybe the quietest one in the bunch but when it comes to motivation, Ana Maria Roqica is without doubt the loudest.
And it’s no wonder Fijiana coach Elenoa Kunatuba gave her the captaincy role for the 2012 Asian Rugby Women’s Championship in Pune, India this coming weekend.
Roqica, the 24-year-old who hails from Vativa, Savusavu, is up for the challenge.
She has faith in the players and believes they have the ability to guide the team through to the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, Russia.
“It was shocking news to me as I have never captained the national team before. I had just captained my club team, Marist Seahawks and this is a great responsibility given to me,” Roqica said.
“There are some good new players in the team and we hope for the best in the tournament.”
Roqica is described as the smallest but the fastest player in the team with the deadliest side up.
She was part of the gold medal winning Fijiana team in the 2011 Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia and scored three tries in the final against Samoa.
Coach Kunatuba said Roqica showed leadership qualities during the preparation, leading the team with example.
“She (Roqica) is a good role model with good leadership qualities. Being a 24-year-old, she has the respect of all the team members,” Kunatuba said.
“She has proved herself in the last two weeks of preparation leading the team with example.”
Ana Maria is the daughter of former Flying Fijian Iosefo Roqica.
Meanwhile, the 2012 Asian Rugby Women’s Championship will be held from October 6 to 7.