17-year-old Netball prospect from Taveuni Silivia MacComber is pushing through adversity to fulfill her lifelong dream and a promise she told herself when she lost her father five years ago.
The Somosomo Lass began her Netball journey when she was in primary school. Her dad was her number one supporter who always encouraged her to give her best every time she’d run onto the court.
MacComber was first selected to represent Taveuni to the Fiji primary school netball championship in Suva. It was the first time she would travel to Suva and her dad accompanied her on the trip. She described it as one of the most cherished moments of her life.
“First time I traveled to Suva was back in primary school when I played for Taveuni, I will always remember this trip as the best trip of my life as my dad was accompanying me to the competition, dad always encouraged me to give my best,” said MacComber.
McComber promised to work hard and push through whatever comes her way in order to reach the pinnacle of her Netball journey, that promise and hard work landed her a spot in the Netball Fiji Academy programme back in November.
She explained that her journey hasn’t been a smooth ride as there were hurdles to overcome, but she did not lose faith as she knew her late dad would never let her quit.
“I just want to thank God for being with me through this journey, there have been lots of challenges and I just try my best to work harder and overcome them, I know dad wouldn’t want me to quit and that’s what keeps me going,” added McComber.
MacComber has not missed a single camp in the past four months of the Netball Academy. She is one of three players traveling from the Maritime zones and she travels the furthest from Taveuni to attend the programme.
“Travelling from Taveuni to Suva is not cheap and having to travel frequently to Suva to attend the training was not easy. Sometimes there was no money but my mum was always determined to send me to Suva, I was thankful that my village, my school, and family members were able to support me and were motivating me to not give up.”
Her aim and perseverance to play at National level fuels her journey and setbacks haven’t slowed her down.
“I always dream of playing for the National team and that’s what’s keeping me going to achieve my aim.”
“This academy camp was eye-opening for me, coming from Taveuni we are not exposed to training like this, and not only am I learning but I have been going back home to teach the netball players in my club. I will make sure to follow through with my training program when I go back home,” added MacComber.
MacComber looks forward to the next phase of the Netball Fiji Academy programme which commences in September.
