Game on! FIAO SCORES HER DREAMS ROLE

The inspirational rugby star is tackling a prestigious new leadership position, where she’s t eaming up with other legends of the sport

- Aroha Awarau

Former Black Ferns captain Seiuli Fiao’o Fa’amausili will never forget the day she led the New Zealand women’s rugby team to victory in their World Cup-winning match against England in 2017.

The Samoan-born sports star held up the World Cup after the finals in Ireland and couldn’t stop the tears streaming down her face. Her raw emotion acknowledged the hard work and sacrifice made by her team but also something more personal. Her day of victory also coincided with the 16th anniversary of the death of her father Tavita.

“My father was my biggest supporter, but he didn’t live to see my debut in the black jersey. He was sick with a heart condition, but that didn’t stop him from supporting me at all of my club games,” says Fiao’o, who is the most capped Black Ferns player and has competed at five rugby World Cups.

“Even if it was raining, he would turn up to my games, sit in the van and toot the horn. That’s why I played for as long as I could. I was playing for him. He gave me that drive and determination.”

Recently, Fiao’o, 41, reached another milestone that would have made her father extremely proud. In December, she was elected the first female president to lead the Auckland Rugby Union – one of the most prestigious and successful rugby provinces in Aotearoa.

“It’s a huge responsibility. But we have to take any opportunity that allows women to be in positions that are normally dominated by men. It gives us a chance to step up because everyone knows that women can rise into leadership positions.”