ADDLYN Rose isn’t about to give up the sport she loves.
At 62, the mother and grandmother continues to defy expectations, taking on opponents far younger than herself in both the open Lautoka City Mother’s Sangam and Lautoka Veterans netball competitions during the TIV Sangam Centennial Celebration tournament.
Her passion and competitive spirit prove that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing what you love.
“I have been playing netball for as long as I can remember, more than 55 years now and I still love it,” she said.
Rose said it is always an honour to represent Lautoka, adding that she embraces every opportunity with heart, trains hard, and gives her all on the court.
She has been the team’s go-to points leader over the past five years and isn’t afraid to challenge players much taller and younger than her.
“My teammates have always been supportive, and they make it easy for me,” Rose said.
“I just focus on putting the ball in the basket that’s what a goal shooter does, score points.
“We play as a team and for one another.”
Rose’s team won all three matches, last weekend, two in the veterans grade and one with the Lautoka City Mothers.
They will play the remaining games in Nadi, and that will be against overseas teams.
“We won the Veterans division last year, we will try to retain the title again this year,” said Rose.
“It would be great to win the Centennial Celebration tournament, that is the aim.”
The TIV Sangam Centennial Celebration tournament officially begins on Thursday in Nadi, but football and netball matches have already been played at various venues.
