From track star to Drua dream

Winger Varanisese Qoro is determined to prove her worth with the Fijian Drua Women this season after earning selection as one of the squad’s 15 new players.

The 21-year-old from Sabeto, Nadi said her rise into the Drua was never something she expected, but she is grateful for the opportunity.

“This is a great opportunity given to me, but I never imagined my journey would come this way,” Qoro said.

“I thank the coaches for trusting me, I know there is still a lot of work to be done.”

Qoro attended Sabeto District School before continuing her education at Adi Cakobau School, where her sporting journey began.

Although she always wanted to play rugby, there were limited opportunities for girls in the sport at the time, which led her to athletics.

“I wanted to play rugby from Year 9, but there was no rugby then, so I got involved in athletics instead,” she said.

Qoro enjoyed success on the track during her school years.

As a sub-junior athlete, she placed third in the girls’ 100 metres and won gold in the 4x100m relay.

The following year, she earned silver in the junior girls’ 4x100m relay before helping her intermediate team win gold in the same event. In her senior year, she again competed in the 100m while also winning another relay medal.

Her rugby breakthrough finally came in Year 13 when Adi Cakobau School fielded a team in the Weet-Bix Raluve Championship.

“That changed everything in Year 13 when the school entered a rugby team in the Weet-Bix Raluve competition,” Qoro said.

“We won our zone but lost in the quarter-finals that year.” Sabeto has produced several notable rugby players over the years, including Apakuki Tuitavua, Ponipate Bainivalu, William

Saukuru, Sivaniolo Naulago and Siva Naulago of the Bristol Bears.

Qoro acknowledged the support from her village and community, saying it continues to motivate her to work harder.

“I thank everyone in the village and the people of Sabeto for encouraging me to keep pushing myself,” she said.

“It sends a clear message to the younger boys and girls that if we train hard, we can aim for the Drua and even higher honours representing Fiji.”