Tito Vodowaqa: I would be grateful to be part of Fiji National Team

Tito Vodowaqa is one of the most talented players from Fiji. The 21-year-old forward has recently moved to Australia with some other Fijian footballers to play for Frankston Pines.

Fiji Football Association set a partnership with Multi-Cultural Sports Association, Victoria Football and Frankston Pines FC to send young Fijian players to Australia in last November. However the whole process was delayed and Tito Vodowaqa, Peni Tuigulagula, Savenaca Baledrokadroka and Asaeli Batikasa only arrived in Australia in February.

The young Fijian players did not have many time to show their talents due to COVID-19 pandemics but Vodowaqa scored four goals in his unofficial debut for Frankston Pines showing why he was one of the nominees for 2019 Fijian Player of the Year Award – “Football here (in Australia) is faster and more technical while in Fiji it is more physical […] Having another Fijian players in the team is a blessing. It is very nice to play with them,” he said.

While the football leagues are not back there, Tito keeps a very important thing on his mind: hardworking – “I want to have opportunities here so I need to work hard to have these opportunities,” he pointed. He also revealed to Fiji Sun that he wants to play in Hyundai A-League – the main football league in Australia – one day.

Despite being only 21, the young forward has already debuted for Fiji National Team. His first ever appearance for Bula Boys was in a 3-0 against New Caledonia last year. His good level impressed former National Team head coach Christopher Gamel who called Vodowaqa to play 2019 Pacific Games that were held in Apia, Samoa.

Tito had opportunities to play and he did not disappoint Gamel as he scored six goals in five matches and helped his country to get the bronze medal in the tournament – “It was very challenging, a really great experience,” he said – “Scoring for National Team is very exciting. I was overwhelmed,” he added.

Gamel left the charge in last August – right after Pacifc Games’ end. Now the Bula Boys are trained by Fleming Serritslev from Denmark and Vodowaqa wants to impress the new coach – “I am working hard. I would be grateful to be part of the National Team,” he stated.

Tito and his teammates are having such a great opportunity by training and playing for a football club from Australia. They are all young players with a long way to go if they keep working hard and make the right choices for their careers.