Rugby is not a sport for sissies, and Camari “Shelly” Naisau knows how challenging it is, but she chose to play it anyway. When she is given the opportunity, she plays rugby league and usually plays a position called “hooker” on the rugby field.

“I chose to go into rugby because it is something I grew up playing and watching with my family and friends,” she said. “My brothers (Nicholas, 22; Josua, 19; and Jomesa, 10) also played it a lot in secondary school and I’ve always wanted to follow in their footsteps.” 

Rugby is the national sport of Naisau’s country, “so it has piqued my interest since I was a child,” she said. 

She started playing when she was eight, but mostly with her siblings and cousins. From there, she went on to play on school teams and at after-school activities. “I’m currently not on a team because of my family has move to the US,” she said. The Solano Yolo Rugby field in Dixon is temporarily closed, but that is only a temporary setback. Naisau’s advice to future rugby players: “Don’t be afraid to put yourself into the game and, once you face the fear of getting hurt, you’ll realize just how well you do when playing.”

Naisau has also been involved in competitive swimming, although she doesn’t participate in that or any sports at Armijo. “I’m currently trying to focus on my academics,” she said. “I am not really involved with anything in or outside of school. I like to read books and listen to music in my free time and occasionally play the guitar.”

Athletics and physical health are important to Naisau, and that is reflected in her dreams for the future. “When I graduate, I want to go into the medical field and hopefully become a cardiothoracic surgeon,” she said. 

Her parents have sacrificed a lot to make sure that she and her siblings live a good life.