Fijiana Drua hooker Bitila Tawake: Newest Board Member and the first female player representative from Fiji.​

When Bitila received the news of her appointment, she was astonished. “I did not expect to be a player’s rep,” she admits. “I felt really honoured. When I saw the welcoming emails, I was grateful and looking forward to doing my part.” 

That humility and commitment to service define who Bitila is, both on and off the field. 

From Suva to the World Stage 

Growing up in Suva with five siblings, Bitila was raised in an island cultural and family-oriented environment. Her parents came from different backgrounds, her father from farming, her mother more mobile, creating what she describes as a “mixed background with strong and influential impact” on who she would become. 

That foundation has carried her to extraordinary heights. A two-time Super W champion with Fijiana Drua, World Cup representative, and one of the Pacific’s most respected players, Bitila has competed at the highest level while never losing sight of what matters most: the welfare of her fellow players. 

“My mindset is different now,” she reflects on her journey. “My work ethic is on a different level. Being exposed to different players of different calibers has shaped who I am.” 

A Voice for Change 

Bitila’s appointment to the Pacific Rugby Players board isn’t accidental. She has been vocal about player welfare issues throughout her career, particularly around payment challenges that have affected Fijiana players. “Since I started with Fijiana, sometimes we were paid late,” she shares. “Over the years, I’ve been vocal about the issues that come up and following the lines of communication.” 

That experience of fighting for fair treatment, of refusing to accept the status quo is exactly what motivated her to take on this governance role. 

“I feel inspired to help others,” Bitila explains. “I want to create an equal playing field for women and men. I want to use sport as a vehicle and mechanism to change mindsets about women’s rugby and player welfare.”

Breaking Down Barriers 

As the first female player representative from Fiji on the PRP board, Bitila understands the weight of representation. She’s not just a voice for players facing difficult issues, she’s a voice for women in a space where they’ve historically been underrepresented. 

She brings a unique perspective as someone currently playing at the highest level. “Being myself and the skills and knowledge that I can add value to the board,” she says of her contribution. “Women’s rugby is growing in Fiji, and I can contribute this for women’s rugby across the Pacific.” 

The challenges are real and urgent. Bitila points to systemic issues in the game, from inconsistent disciplinary outcomes to the lack of long-term contracts that would provide stability for Pacific Island players. But she’s ready to tackle them head-on.

A Vision for the Future 

When asked what success looks like in this role, Bitila’s answer is clear: “Being a voice! Even if I don’t get the result, voicing these questions is important. I want to make noise and raise awareness, especially for women’s rugby.” 

Her message to Pacific Island players just starting their journey is both honest and inspiring: “Rugby is a beautiful sport. You get to go to places you’ve never imagined. But it comes with a lot of sacrifices and challenges. To get to the destination, you will have to make those sacrifices. Don’t give up. It’s part of the journey to fall, but you always must get up.” 

Beyond the Game 

When she’s not fighting for player welfare or leading Fijiana Drua on the field, Bitila recharges by switching off everything, sleeping in for two weeks after big tournaments, spending time with her two flatmates, and enjoying moments with friends and family. She finds joy in reminiscing about old, funny times on the field, the memories that remind her why she fell in love with rugby in the first place. 

Pacific Rugby Players exists to represent, develop, and support players from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga throughout their careers and beyond. With Bitila Tawake on our board, we’re not just talking about representation – we’re living it. 

Welcome aboard, Bitila. The Pacific rugby community is stronger with you in this role.

Pacific Rugby Players is the representative body for professional rugby players from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga, providing support across contract negotiations, cultural transition, career development, mental health, and life after rugby.