Have Faith In Your Decision Making Says Cavuru

"Make decisions wholeheartedly, free from external influences," says current Fiji Sevens Women’s playmaker and Olympian Lavena Cavuru.

The 30 year old hailing from Naboubuco, Naitasiri made the decision to take up rugby full time after she was approached by her father and given an ultimatum to choose between education and familial responsibilities.

"I was always playing touch rugby with the boys in the village when I was in primary school," said Lavena, the 2nd youngest of eight children.

Relocating to Lautoka for educational prospects, she found herself drawn to football, eventually joining the Lautoka Women's Football team. However, fate intervened when she was invited to participate in the Coral Coast Sevens tournament with the Lautoka rugby team in 2019, leading to her discovery and subsequent dedication to the sport.

Lavena contributes her success in the sport to the decision she made with her parents when she was younger to step away from education.

"This is not to discourage young athletes from education as this is and will always be important especially with sports always having an expiry date," she said.

"It is that the decision I made with my father made me determined to make something of myself and also ensure that one date I can also be independent."

Lavena said with the support of the Fiji Rugby Union, she was able to secure an opportunity with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

In 2023, Lavena underwent medical selection for the Fiji Naval Division alongside other female Fijian rugby representatives, embarking on a fulfilling yet challenging journey.

Lavena is now employed by the RFMF under the Fiji Naval Division, a journey she says while filled with struggles has been fulfilling for her and her family.

"There is no guarantee that I will make the team to this year’s Olympic Games, but I will still give it my all at every training session."

Lavena said the depth of talent in the squad is amazing and she is thankful because it makes everyone bring their best whether in training or during game time.

"We are our biggest critics and we push ourselves and each other so I am looking forward to when the final team will be called and whether it has my name or not it will be a very good team," she said.

She competed in the women's tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games where she helped the side secure its first ever Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo and a year later, she would help her side win the silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

She has also competed at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town in 2022 and in 2021 Lavena also played for the Fijiana squad at the 2021 Rugby World Cup.

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