Injury steers Duarara from rugby to volleyball

Former Suva Grammar School student Orisi Duarara has set his focus on volleyball after an injury prevented him from playing rugby at a young age. 

The 20-year-old Serea, Naitasiri lad previously played in four Vulaca volleyball tournaments.

He was part of the Kinoya team, who were runners-up in the men’s pool one. 

“I started playing in the Vulaca Tournament when I was in Year 10,” he said.

“I used to play rugby in primary school as inside centre but then I turned to volleyball in high school.”

Duarara injured his left shoulder during his time participating in Kaji rugby.

“I was disallowed to play rugby in high school because of my injury, so I tried out volleyball in Year nine,” he said.”

“My dad Asesela Duarara is the coach for Kinoya and I used to follow him around then he asked me to try the sport out.”

Asesela Duarara also served as the head referee and technical official for the Oceania Volleyball Club Championship in 2018.

Orisi featured for the police team in the Sukuna bowl volleyball tournament last year.

“I’m planning to recruit in the Police force next month as a special constable,” he said.

Duarara learnt discipline and teamwork through the sport of volleyball.

“I wish to advise the youths out there not to involve themselves with drugs as it affect your life future,” he said.

Duarara will be looking forward to taking part in the Vanua Championship volleyball tournament next month.

He set his sights in representing Fiji at the Pacific games in Tahiti next year.

“I need to train more as I’m a bit unfit at the moment,” Duarara said.

“I need to cut out bad habits like smoking and prioritise sleep.”