Akosita Ravato-Marr, a police officer by profession, says it’s time that she hang her boots to solely focus on her family.

“In all of my six years that I have been with Suva rugby, I’ve never gotten an award and to get one on my way out, curtains down for rugby, I am indeed grateful and blessed. I thank God for the talent and for these six years that I can give back and also represent my provincial team,” she said.

“I would like to dedicate this award to my mother who has been an inspiration in everything that I do and I feel that it is because of my mother’s upbringing, these little qualities I hope will inspire these other women in the team so that when they come out of rugby, they would have something of value in them that they can share with other young women coming up in provincial rugby.”

Her husband, Alexander Marr and her two sons, are the main reasons behind the decision.

“I am married now, my focus must shift, I have responsibilities with my two sons, all their lives they grew up knowing that their mum is always playing rugby, always away on tours so I think it’s time.

“You know how they say in every time there is a season for everything so I’m grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to what’s ahead which is to look after my sons and my family. My husband is also away, I am playing mum and dad right now, so I have a little bit more time on my hands to give them attention that they’ve missed out on for a while,” she added.

Ravato-Marr who was part of the Fijian Drua Women that won the inaugural Super W title in 2022 also issued a valuable message to her sisters in rugby.

“It comes to how bad you want it, if you set a goal, you will have to make sacrifices, you have to have time management and prioritise what is important and what is to be done. Sacrifice will come with decision-making whether you’re going to train or hang out with your friends especially if you’re balancing school or work so that balance is on you, that self-discipline so I encourage all the young women especially my sisters to just make good decisions and if you set your mind onto something, you could achieve it but with discipline.”

Her last hurrah she hopes would be this year’s Ratu Sukuna Bowl challenge between the Police and Army.

The Suva locks played first five-eighth and rover when playing sevens rugby in 2011 and made her national debut two years later during the Coral Coast 7s.

She was one of the first players that featured for Suva in 2017, when the women’s competition was introduced, playing alongside Laisa Taga and Mere Moto.