The Fiji National Rugby League motto ‘Noqu Kalou, Noqu Vanua’ may be embroidered into the Vodafone Fiji Bati team’s jerseys when they compete at the World Cup next month but for Aaron Groom, he decided to take things a step further.
The 21-year old Canterbury Bulldogs player who can play as both scrum half and hooker has ‘Noqu Kalou, Noqu Vanua’ tattooed across his back.
“I came to Fiji with an Australian team a couple of years back and I saw ‘Noqu Kalou, Noqu Vanua’ written somewhere. It was really catchy, I asked for the meaning and was told that it meant My God, my country,” Groom said.
“A couple of years later I thought I’d have it on my back. It was a part of my country with me wherever I went.”
Groom who was born in Fiji has never forgotten his Fijian heritage and visits Levuka every year.
“I have always wanted to play for Fiji since I started playing league even when I was small. Every time something would come up which stopped me from representing Fiji.”
“It’s not just a tattoo anymore that I have on my back. It is a part of my country that I take with me everywhere now.”
“Noqu Kalou, Noqu Vanua motivated me to keep trying for Fiji and I’m here now.”
The Bati motto on Groom’s back isn’t the only source of motivation he draws from.
Groom has his favourite Bible verse from Deuteronomy on his right shoulder.
He also has his maternal grandmother’s name inside his right arm. His paternal grandmother’s name is on his left arm in the middle of his recent body art that covers his whole left arm – a reminder of life and death, drawn up with feminine faces and trendy designs.
Jason Storer, another member of the Bati team who plies his trade for the Cronulla Sharks believes tattoos are more then just body art.
The 26-year old that has blood ties to Lau has a number of tattoos that have their own story to tell. “Each tattoo on my body represents a place in my life, something or someone that has helped me come this far.”
“Tattoos are more that art, their voices and moments captured in ink that we will be remembered and carried with you forever,” he added.
Storer has a Fijian homemade pattern that covers most of his right shoulder. The design is palm tree that has no fruits.
“The fruit is in me,” Storer explained.
On his left thigh, he has another Fijian pattern and on his back, he carries his Abroginal tribe Uin’s spirit name ‘Umbarra’.
Another tattoo, initials on his right chest is a reminder to Storer of his past life.
“That was a time in my life where I went through a very bad stage, I was just bad.”
“I was looking to jail, I had problems, got kicked out of school but rugby league saved me.”
“If I ever decide to get more tattoos, it will be my kid’s names,” Storer added.
Bati skipper Wes Naiqama has ‘Only God can judge me now’ arched on his chest.
According to the Newcastle Knights utility back, this is a constant reminder that nothing he does is hidden from God.
On his right arm, the Nabuna native from Koro has his sisters name tattooed ‘Wila’.
“Wila’s my younger sister, she passed away some time back, I carry her with me everywhere I go. She would have loved to see me lead the Bati team in the world cup; I have her with me when I run out with the boys.”
A Chinese symbol on his shoulder for good luck is Naiqama’s last tattoo and the 25-year old says he might consider getting more done if he has the time.
Nadroga native from Votua Village Akuila Uate, Naiqama’s fellow Newcastle Knights team mate has just one tattoo on his arm. The Fijian design includes a mat, spear and a Fijian fan.
Several members of the Bati team have their school name on their upper thumb. This they say is a constant reminder of where they started from.
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