(Life of a Goalie) Beginning hockey at Adi Cakobau School, Varanisese Lilikibau Komaisavai started out originally as a field player as she wanted to try something new. However, after offering one day to step in as goalkeeper, she relished the challenge and it stuck with her ever since. After high school, Vara took to playing at club level for the Mobees Women’s Hockey Club in 2012, switching to Hackers in 2013 and finally settling into the Marist Women’s Hockey Club this year. Varanisese enjoys playing with the Marist Women’s Team as she found that their level of hockey and team moral was just what she needed in order to develop and grow as an elite athlete. Occasionally, if need be, one would find Varanisese running around as a field player, which she also enjoys. Vara or Frances as she is fondly known by her team mates understands the emotions in sport and the roller-coaster ride it can be. Making the national team was a dream she had set her eyes on after playing in the Fiji Women’s High Performance Unit team against Australian Country last year. Having to sacrifice family time and walking home after long hours of training due to financial difficulties never deterred the Tailevu lass. “Nothing could make me turn away from the opportunity to represent my country” says Vara. Emotions were high when Vara was selected in the final 18-member team. Her family and friends were proud and she personally was ecstatic knowing that all her sacrifices had paid off. Vara acknowledges Sue Hicks for always helping her out when times were hard. “Aunty Sue has always supported me financially and I’m also grateful for her sound advice on and off the field” she says. Vara is also grateful to Ana AhYuk for constantly pushing her during training sessions and game time. Her good friend Rita Hicks has also been the driving force behind her achievement and thanks her for the amazing support she has always given her. Outside the mask and pads, Vara spends time with her mum and dad who are her biggest fans. “My father is a fisherman and my mother is a domestic worker, they love the fact that I play hockey and even though they haven’t watched me play they love listening to my stories of my games” says Vara. Vara is currently studying a Bachelor of Education majoring in Geography and History, which she has to put on hold to pursue her hockey dreams. She aspires to someday become a teacher once she gets the chance to complete her studies. When Vara is away from the hockey pitch she enjoys hanging out with friends and cooking. With a strong desire to establish herself as one of the best female goalkeepers in Fiji, Vara is determined to prove her worth in the first match against Vanuatu at the Oceania Pacific Cup that kicks off this Saturday at the National Hockey Centre. Vara is dedicating the OPC this year to her parents, who she calls “Her Silent Supporters”. (Story by Maxine Browne, Catherine Thaggard and Melba Nautu)
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 10:28:42 +0000