Veteran Fijiana 7s player Lavenia Tinai is grateful to be spending time with her family during this COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.
The Wailotua, Wainibuka, Tailevu native has been in the village helping her father on the family farm and at home.
“Well for one, I get to spend more time with my dad who stays in the village,” Tinai said.
“I see this as an opportunity for me to help him in farming and looking after my nephews and nieces.
“This COVID-19 pandemic has really set things into perspective for me.
“Where I always have to be one step ahead when planning because anything can happen at any time.
“But sometimes it can be a hassle as I also have to keep up with my training schedules.
“The biggest struggle for me personally is to maintain my weight and fitness. I do miss team training but thanks to the programs and words of encouragement from our coaches and family members, they help me to maintain my fitness and diet.
“Our programs mostly consist of running and we were asked to send in our videos of our training sessions in that way our coaches know what we are doing so that when the season starts proper, we don’t have to struggle.
“The adage failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail, has motivated me.”
Tinai has been playing sevens for five years and she believes rugby is more than a sport.
“Rugby has instilled discipline and sharpened my character.
“And through rugby, I got to see the world and the friends I made through rugby have become family who has helped me through the toughest of times.
“My dreams honestly, is to be standing at the platform. Not only that, but I also want to create a pathway for younger girls to join rugby and experience the joy this sport brings, promoting women’s rugby in Fiji across the border.
“Also my late uncle Jovilisi Waqa has always been my source of motivation on my lazy days. He would be the one screaming at me to get up and go running.
“He would be the only one pushing me to do better in every performance even at the lowest points of Fijiana 7s.”
Tinai and fellow teammate Rusila Nagasau helped Fijiana qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in sevens.
