Pacific powerhouse Fitzpatrick sisters triumph again… and again

It was another win for the formidable Fitzpatrick sisters, Toesulu (Sulu) and Theresa, together sweeping up a third of the Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland’s Blues major awards on 6 October.

Theresa Fitzpatrick took out the Sportswoman of the Year Award and Most Meritorious Performance – for the third year in a row. She was victorious with the Black Fern sevens and earned a nomination for last year’s World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year.

At 27, Theresa calls herself a mature student as she studies toward a Bachelor of Health Science, following her interest in health and caring for others. Aware of the dire statistics for her Pacific community, the proudly Samoan-Chinese-NZ European is determined to make a real difference off the field too.

Older sibling Toesulu Fitzpatrick received the Major Pasifika Award again, first winning it four years ago.

The leadership of the newly retired Silver Fern helped guide the Mystics to an ANZ Premiership title during her farewell season, she also brought her prowess to the Netball World Cup in South Africa.

Thirty-year-old Sulu’s unique whangai (adoption) journey has been well documented; the highs and lows affording profound insights that eventually set her sights on a career in sociology.

Currently studying toward a masters in Sociology and researching Pacific women in sport, Sulu says making a difference in the Pacific community is a goal she shares with her young sister. Helping others “be the best version of themselves and assisting those in the Pacific community had long been a passion.”

Sulu was aware of the huge gap in the research on Pacific people and particularly women; she’s hopeful that her research would also encourage Pacific people, across all fields, to aspire toward leadership roles.