Being part of Fiji’s first-ever professional football team is a moment Scott Wara describes as both historic and profoundly personal. The Bula FC defender views this new professional setup as a significant transformation for the local football scene, elevating standards and providing much-awaited pathways for aspiring players to consider football as a viable career option in their home country.
For Wara, who has experience playing professionally in the United Kingdom, this achievement holds deep meaning not just for himself but also for his family and his roots. He expressed the gravity of this milestone, stating, “It’s a massive achievement for me and for my family to be playing professional football, back in professional football, not only professionally but obviously back in Fiji, which is my home country. So yeah, it’s a massive honour for me and my family.”
Wara believes this pioneering moment with the country’s inaugural professional side is a shared sentiment among his teammates as well. “It’s massive,” he said, reflecting on the unique opportunity they have to be part of something groundbreaking in Fijian football.
Since Bula FC’s inception, Wara has observed an evident rise in the game’s standards, noting a more formidable player cohort and a heightened level of competition. “It’s a different environment. It’s an environment that I’ve been in before, so it’s good to move that same sort of environment back here, back into my home country,” he commented.
Wara hopes that this significant milestone will motivate young footballers throughout Fiji to relentlessly pursue their dreams, no matter how distant they might seem. He shared his own experiences, recounting how he once thought his dream was fading after leaving professional football. “Just keep working hard. An opportunity could come around the corner,” he advised.
With the establishment of Bula FC, Wara and his teammates are paving the way for future generations of athletes, creating a brighter outlook for the development of football in Fiji. This professional structure not only raises the stakes in local football but also fosters the belief that dreams can be realized with perseverance and dedication.