KAVENI Talemaivalagi knows a step at a time will take him a long way.
And that's what exactly the Buliya, Kadavu native is doing to become one of the most decorated Fijian referees in future.
The 24-year-old schoolteacher is part of the referees panel for the Wellington 7s which starts today at the Westpac Stadium.
Talemaivalagi, who will be officiating as the assistant referee, says he is looking forward to his second International Rugby Board 7s tournament.
He made his debut as a match official in the Gold Coast 7s last year.
"This has been a great learning experience for me from the senior referees that I have been working with so I'm looking forward to the experience in Wellington," Talemaivalagi said.
"Obviously James (Bolabiu) has helped me a lot to reach this far and I'm very grateful to him.
"Hopefully one day I will be part of the (top) referees group and this is my first step going in as an assistant referee."
Talemaivalagi said there was a vast difference in the standard of competition at home and in international events like the IRB 7s series.
He said the referees also had to prepare well to be able to officiate the games properly.
"We have to keep doing our personal training and keep up with the fitness. The decision we make on the field goes down to how we train and keep up with the diet leading up to the games."
Talemaivalagi started refereeing when he was 16 and was named the referee of the Year at last year's Suva Referees Association awards.