Seru Shuns Rugby Offers
Schoolboys champion thrower Tomasi Seru Junior has shunned offers for overseas and local sports contracts to concentrate on his career pathway.
Queen Victoria School headboy, Seru, 18, set the new senior boys discus record with his 46.29 metres throw on Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium. The old 45.88m record was set by fellow Victorian Josua Serukilagi in 2017.
Apart from discus, he also taped their 4x100m relay; QVS won silver.
Yesterday his parents, Tomasi Senior and Mere Seru, told SUNsports that their son has a list of offers which include rugby league offers from the Queensland Cowboys and Silktails.
“He must first finish his Year 13 before we can consider sports contracts,” his father Seru Snr said.
“We will see what God has in store for him after this school year but one thing is for sure and that his sporting career looks good.”
The Ketei, Lau native is an all-rounder, representing his school and zone in rugby league, rugby union and athletics since primary school apart from his leadership roles.
For the school athletic, he has bagged close to 10 medals so far.
Seru recently returned from Tahiti as a member of the Fiji Under-20.
At the closing of the Coke Games he led the QVS colour party (flag lowering ceremony).
“Sometimes we just could not brush off this feeling of being the luckiest parents on earth. People compliment his talents, we struggled to get him to where he is today,” he said.
He is number five in a family of six siblings. His father is a retired primary school head teacher.
The journey has not been easy as his parents were posted in the rural areas when he was in primary.
“Travelling to Suva was never easy; his mother always accompany him to take part in tournaments.
Wiping away her tears his mother said: “I sit here today with so many memories of what we used to talk about.
“We saw the Head Boy plaque at QVS when he was 14 and I challenged him that he could be head boy there one day.”
“He is wearing that badge today. I have high hopes that he can also be dux.”
Parents advice
For Seru, his parents’ words are nailed to his heart.
“My parents know what is best for me and I would go with their recommendation,” he said.
“My older siblings have either graduated from university or travelled abroad because of their professions. This is because they listened to our parents’ advice. I want that too.”
“It is important to put God first when it comes to bringing up your children,” his father said.
“We need to keep on lecturing them because the outside influence is so strong.
“He has been brought up to be the best he could be.”
Feedbacks: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj
