For Lavenia Racaca going to referee at the Olympic Games was something she never once dreamt of.
After retiring from rugby, the young lady from Ra took up refereeing as a way of staying connected to the game that she has grown to love.
Racaca says being told she was going to the Olympics took a while to sink in and she had to confirm that she had heard right.
“I really didn’t believe it. I know I worked really hard for this and proved all my critics wrong but when I was called up, I just couldn’t believe it.”
“I am so grateful to my friends who supported me all the way, my family who have always been there for me and most importantly I acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ. He has proved himself faithful time and again and really if it wasn’t for Him, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
Racaca says she has had to overcome battles that threatened to deter her from the course she was on.
“For every good thing there is always opposition. There was so much talk, there was a lot of questions about my capabilities but I just remembered what Master Lee always says that as referees we need to be mindful of what people say but don’t let it affect us. Learn from it and move on,” she said.
Racaca was part of over 60 referee coaches from across the country that converged in Suva to discuss new laws that have been introduced by World Rugby, yesterday.
