Apisai Devo (first from right) with Jerry Tuwai and other rugby players during a training session.

Behind every successful athlete or sports team are a group of specialist coaches that address performance aspects such as diet and nutrition, fitness, defence and skills and strength and conditioning.

Players depend on specialists to provide them with the proper coaching and guidance in order to be at peak performance during their games.

These coaches play an important role in the weeks and months leading up to game day. Naitasiri lad Apisai Baraki Devo is one such person who has his fair share of responsibilities; as a Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) strength and conditioning coach.

At just 23 years of age, Devo has rubbed shoulders with many local and international rugby players such as Jerry Tuwai as part of his daily work. Strength and conditioning is important for any sportsperson as it helps prevent injury, promotes healthy bones, improves postures and mood and increases fitness and metabolism.

In a rugby-crazy country such as Fiji, it comes as no surprise that Devo was someone who described himself as feeling “active and alive when outdoors playing rugby or other activities.”

It was for this reason that he decided to enroll at the Fiji National University (FNU) in 2016 to study a Trade Diploma in Sports Science that is offered at the College of Humanities and Education (CHE).

“I want to stress that I had some of the best lecturers because I felt like we were a family who were all trying to learn and excel at the same thing and had our lecturers guiding us along the way,” Devo said.

“The lecturers really took their time in being attentive to each student and explained concepts until we fully understood them.”

“I knew I chose the right study and career path in Sports Science as the theory and practical skills and knowledge I gained from FNU prepared me for the real world and the sports industry.”

Devo graduated last year and recalls how he progressed from watching Tuwai and other national players on television to working with them to improve performance and help keep them physically and mentally fit.

“The best way to describe it was that I felt in shock just being in the same space as these talented and contributing my skills and knowledge so that they are the best at what they do,” he says softly.

“I feel honoured to play a part in not just our national teams but local groups as well such as the Naitasiri Rugby Union’s men’s and women’s team as I believe that we can only excel globally by starting locally.”

“I am humbled that despite my age, I have people who are older than me who look to me for advice and coaching when it comes to strength and conditioning.”

While any of these experiences would be career highlights for some, Devo said that gaining the self-confidence to work and perform in the sports industry was one of his major professional achievements.

“I can say that confidence is the key because you can be the best in your field but if you don’t have confidence, you won’t be able to contribute positively,” he said matter-of-factly.

“I diligently work and contribute to sports development through my role and I plan to be one of the best strength and conditioning coach not just in Fiji, but globally.”

Devo said students should not limit themselves and always strive towards their ambitions.

“We all learn differently. Some of us learn better doing practical work compared to theory work and this is okay. This is how we learn and get better.”

“If you’re someone who learns better through technical and vocational education and training (TVET), you can still succeed in life.”