Ana Lauteau, a 20-year-old highly skilled individual, resides in Loto Ha’apai. Born into a family of eight, she is the fifth child, growing up with her mother and six siblings in the island of Ha’ano, Ha’apai. She lost her father at the age of 12, but instead of being consumed by grief, Ana found solace in sports, which also helped support her mother.
Initially, Ana explored various sports, including netball, athletics, and football. Although she achieved success in multiple disciplines, she discovered that football provided her with the most significant opportunities. Ana began her athletic journey as a netball player in her village in Ha’apai and represented her college, ‘Apifo’ou College, in athletics. However, football held a unique appeal for her.
Photo Credit: Malau Media.
Ana’s introduction to football occurred when a friend invited her to watch a game at the Home of Football. Watching from the side-lines, she became intrigued by the sport’s dynamic and wanted to experience playing with her feet instead of her hands, as in netball.
In 2018, Ana began playing football and was soon selected for the Tonga Women’s Football National Team. Despite being new to the sport, she represented her country and participated in the Oceania qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 tournament held in Fiji in 2022.
Upon her selection for the national team, Ana initially felt apprehensive due to her lack of experience in football. Nevertheless, she dedicated herself to learning and improving her skills, viewing her opportunity as a divine gift. Football has since become her top priority.
Ana’s mother, Seini Lauteau, is “incredibly proud of her daughter’s accomplishments and appreciative of her God-given talent”. From a young age, Ana demonstrated her aptitude for sports and her mother’s unwavering support has been instrumental in her success.
Ana’s achievements in football, combined with her active and friendly demeanour, led to an invitation to volunteer for the Just Play Programme. As a proponent of gender equality, the program offers opportunities for young women like Ana to step out of their comfort zones and share their experiences with others. In 2023, she participated in the program for the first time.
Just Play Master Instructor, Lafaele Moala, “chose Ana for her sense of humour and ability to make friends easily”. He also saw “potential in Ana as a leader and role model, who could use her football experience to inspire younger generations.” Moala believes the “Just Play Program helps empower women to become better leaders by providing them with opportunities to participate in activities that reveal their hidden strengths.”
(From left to right)-Kaati Leha, Lute Finau, ‘Ofa La’akulu, ‘Ana Lauteau, Madison Tenifa
Ana found the “program invaluable for understanding football more deeply, as well as learning about life skills and social messages relevant both on and off the field.” The experience also helped her “build confidence and improve her public speaking skills”. She now enjoys volunteering for Just Play, teaching children interested in football and helping them succeed in sports.
The Just Play Program has provided Ana with a platform to boost her confidence and further develop her knowledge and skills in football. Eager to learn from the program and share her experiences, she hopes to inspire children who share her passion for football.
