Mereseini Vasuilia (left) with a team during the Marist 7s tournament.

Sport is a powerful tool that can be used to promote peace, prosperity, fairness, respect, justice, tolerance and unity people in times of adversity. These are the comments of well-known sports administrator and Fiji National University’s (FNU), Sports Development Adviser Alifereti Cawanibuka.

Sporting activities such as the upcoming Olympic Games are platforms for social change which brings together people of various races, age, gender and socio-economic backgrounds and help bridge cultural understanding and harmony.

For FNU alumna Mereseini Vasuilia, graduating with a Trade Diploma in Sports Science last year has enabled her to combine her childhood passion and career ambitions.

“I have always been interested in sports since a little girl and when I began my tertiary studies, I knew I wanted to learn and graduate in this field,” the 24-year-old said.

“During my time at FNU, I was grateful to have supportive lecturers who would help us academically as well as check on our social and personal needs so that we were able to excel in the course.”

“My highlights from this time was when I would participate in various events such as in the Oceania rugby tournaments.”

Through the course, Vasuilia is competent in areas of sports science such as training, coaching, and fitness. Graduates of the programme can undertake training and teaching work in the playgrounds/courts, labs and the wider sporting industry.

“As a graduate, my skills and knowledge have helped me both as a national rugby player and in my role as a strength and conditioning coach,” Vasuilia said.

“I have trained national teams such as the Fiji Rugby 7’s Men’s team, the Fijians 7’s team, the Academy players and other clubs. Since I am attached with the Fiji Rugby Union’s (FNU), High-Performance Unit as a Strength and Conditioning Coach, I train teams and individuals at both national and club levels.”

Vasuilia said a professional highlight was when she was a trainer last year for the Fijiana Women’s 15s team that won the Oceania game to qualify for the Women’s World Cup, which will be held in New Zealand next year.

She aims to undertake further studies to become an Athletic Therapist, someone who is both a Physiotherapist and a Strength and Conditioning trainer.

The Trade Diploma in Sports Science course is offered through the University’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) stream. Interested students and stakeholders can learn more by visiting https://www.fnu.ac.fj/tvet-pasifika/

For all details relating to Admission and Enrolment please email: pritika.m@fnu.ac.fj

For all queries related to programmes, please email: rohitkkishore@gmail.com