Not many women would show interest in a male dominated sport like football, but that was not the case for 35 years old Sainiani Ledua.

The Qalikarua, Matuku, Lau, native is the Physical Performance Coach for the Kaiviti Silktails Rugby League Football Club, preparing for the 2021 NSWRL Ron Massey Cup.

Ledua was born into a rugby league family and worked for 11 years as a lecturer at the Department of Sports Science at the Fiji National University.

Sports is not only a way of keeping her fit and healthy, but she found it was as a way where her children could be disciplined.

Growing up in Suva, her best childhood memories was it was all about rugby and rugby league.

“I found rugby league exciting because during that time I just started with Sports Science and it challenged me as an individual,” Ledua said.

“And now I get to spend and learn more about the players and they learn to be disciplined as well through sports.”

Trainer Journey

“It all started in 2007 when I finished my studies in New Zealand we were asked in our induction day before school started, what will you do when you finish this program my answer was to go back home and develop sports to the highest level.

“Well here I am I came back worked myself up the ranks from tutoring sports science for 11years then touched up on my Strength and Conditioning knowledge and personal training. Look at where it has brought me helping the Kaiviti Silktails Mens Team preparing for the Ron Masey Cup this year.”

Challenges 

“Getting the message across to some players who are quiet but it’s handy to pick out how we can go through them, by studying them during training how they interact with others and so I use that to get to them. By using their team mates to get the message across.

“I’ve been in athletics, rugby, netball and Aussie rules they’ve taught me to adjust in any sporting enviroment. Coming into a male dominant sport like rugby league isn’t new it’s in my DNA I was born into a male dominant family and working for 11years with men in the sports science department at FNU really had an impact on my career as a female Strength and Conditioning Coach in a Male dominant sport.”

Everyday Training 

“I just focus on the task at hand. I look at the players as my priority by helping them achieve what they aiming for as athletes that’s how I cope when working with the opposite gender based sport.

“Sometimes it depends on how players value their tasks if they are focused in knowing more to improve in their sport they come to you every now and then to be better, if they don’t value anything about why they are here they just treat you like you know nothing about Rugby League but that’s ok with me as long as they do what I say when it comes to my sessions I make sure it is done”

Plans

“Only God knows. Let’s just sit back and watch where he takes me.”

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback: simioneharavanua@fijisun.com.fj