West Brisbane Panthers skipper Asipau Mafi has achieved a lot in the game, but still has plenty of goals to strive for in the future.
Mafi has not only represented Queensland in the Women's Interstate Challenge, been part of the NRLW competition with the St George Illawarra Dragons and worn the green and gold as part of Australia's Prime Minister's XIII teams, she also skippered West Brisbane Panthers to premiership victory in the SEQ Women's competition last year.
With this season's BHP Premiership called off, Mafi took the time to take on the ‘fast five’ questions challenge.
Fast five with Asipau Mafi
Football family - does anyone else in your family play? Who and with which team? If not, did a friend get you to sign up?
I have cousins who play rugby union, but not many in league. I was the first girl in my family to play rugby league. My sisters and I started off by playing Aussie rules, but then I switched codes after seeing a women’s league team start up in my local area. It was probably for the best, as I think my body is better built for rugby league than Aussie rules. I still do enjoy watching AFL and playing Aussie rules in my free time or when I’m not playing league.
Favourite footy memory?
Footy has honestly brought me some of the best moments in my life. Some of my favourite recent moments would be winning the 2019 SEQ Women’s Premiership with my fellow West Brisbane Pink Panthers. Still gives me goose bumps to this day. All the effort, hard work and sacrifices my girls and coaching staff had put in, not only in 2019, but also the two years leading up had finally paid off and what a feeling it was.
Another moment would be playing for the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII side in 2018 and 2019. I’m always honoured and grateful to get an opportunity to play back in the islands as I know that is where my family have come from. Anytime I put on a green and gold jersey with the national emblem on it, I get very emotional. Playing in last year’s Australian PM’s side really hit me close to home as I was playing for Australia - the country that has blessed me with many opportunities within female rugby league, in Fiji, which is the country of my great grandfather. Although I was born and raised in Australia, I will always hold my Tongan and Fijian heritage close to heart.
Fashion - what’s the most worn item in your wardrobe?
The most item worn in my wardrobe would be black tights. I think people may think I wear the same tights over and over again, trust me I have a lot more than one pair of black tights. Other than that, I’m not one to dress up that often... only on special occasions. My goal for this isolation period is to learn how to apply makeup and do my eyebrows through watching YouTube videos. To this date, I haven’t learnt much, still have no clue on what powder is what and cannot wait until restrictions are over so I can get a professional to help me.
Fitness tips? Anything favourite exercises or tips for staying motivated?
My fitness tips would be to keep yourself accountable in everything you do. I know that this is hard times, but we need to keep motivating each other. Stay in contact with your team mates over this period of time. For when the isolation period is over, I find it's always great to work out in a group environment. You are more motivated and are more likely to push harder than when you’re working out alone, you are also less likely to skip classes. My fave exercise would be any type of Olympic lifts or anything with a barbell - clean and jerks, snatches, shoulder presses, squats.
Find out more - is there anything you are studying up on, reading, watching now that you are spending more time at home?
I normally work two jobs, day shifts and night shifts, but due to this pandemic, I’m only working one for now. When I do have some free time and am not training or sleeping, I do enjoy binge watching Gordan Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares and Judge Judy.
Favourite footy photo
