Family, Rugby, and Belonging: The Story of Dominiko Manaseitava
A profile of Cardiff Met rugby player Dominiko Manaseitava, exploring family, youth rugby, and the sense of belonging that shapes his game.
Image credit: @CardiffMetSport/Carl Robertson
“It’s truly a sense of belonging.”
That was Cardiff Met’s Dominiko Manaseitava talking about what rugby truly means to him. We all search for outlets that bring joy and allow us to be our best selves. For the players who take to the pitch, rugby provides the platform to do just that. Manaseitava, looking to play the game to the best of his abilities, has a deep passion for rugby.
Beginning
His father, Tevita Manaseitava, moved to Wales from Fiji. He represented sides like Pyle RFC and the Bridgend Bulls. Manaseitava produced some memorable moments for those teams, in particular a great assist against the Newport Titans. The game turned on a spark of brilliance, as Manaseitava read the play, intercepted, and surged through the Newport defence. His perfectly weighted offload to Arran Warner sealed a commanding victory for Bridgend.
Hailing from Bridgend, where rugby is ingrained in the fabric of the place, Dom Manaseitava learned the game. He did so across the country at historic clubs, developing his fundamentals at Bridgend Sports and Kenfig Hill. What is learned on cold Sundays goes a long way towards shaping who a player becomes. Manaseitava also attended Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, a school that was home to the likes of Dewi Lake, Owen Watkin, and Tom Florence.
Passion and joy define youth rugby, where the love of the game is cemented. For him, those formative moments came at Porthcawl RFC.
Youth rugby at Porthcawl RFC
During the youth years, rugby becomes deeply embedded in a player’s being. The camaraderie and team spirit over those formative years represent what rugby is all about. As stated before, Porthcawl is where Manaseitava played his youth rugby. In the crowded Bridgend rugby scene, clubs like Porthcawl are often overlooked. But the history tells a different story: a club forged in grit and pride, producing British & Irish Lions and thriving on the art of punching above its weight. Following in the footsteps of fantastic competitors such as Clive Williams, Daffydd Jenkins, and Tom Prydie, Manaseitava represented Porthcawl. He talks about the club.
“We were all really good mates, good coaches, all really enjoyable. We were a good team, and that makes it enjoyable when you are winning games. We had excellent coaches, the likes of Ryan Bevington and Simon Norris, who really helped my game.”
It was a good team that was very difficult to beat. Simon Norris talks about the team, and how a moment from a budding Welsh international denied them a spot in the Ospreys Premiership.
“That team had some very talented players in it, along with Dom. There was Sol Kembrey, a flanker named Ongani Kalongo who represented Boys’ Clubs of Wales that season — they went on to win the Ospreys Championshipthat season, not losing a game. We just missed out on a place in the Ospreys Premiership thanks to a last-minute drop goal from a certain Dan Edwards.”
When it was time to choose a university, Manaseitava decided that Cardiff Met was the right fit for him.
Cardiff Met
Cardiff Met’s rugby programme has grown into a proving ground, a place where ambition is sharpened and emerging talent is pushed to new levels. Its reputation has been built on development and belief. 2022 marked his arrival at Cyncoed Campus. During his university career, he has competed in both Super BUCS and the Welsh domestic leagues. Facing the UK’s next generation on Wednesdays and iconic Welsh sides like Pontypridd, Merthyr, or Cross Keys on Saturdays quickly builds a wealth of experience.
Recently, Manaseitava took to the Arms Park, starting in the famous ‘Cardiff Clash’, where Cardiff Met beat Cardiff University 31–29, backing up a 56-28 earlier in the season. Cardiff Met means a lot to Manaseitava; he elaborates on his love for the university and playing in two high-level competitions.
“It’s the closest thing to a professional set-up. The access we have is incredible. From analysis to coaching, it’s great. BUCS is fast-paced. Compared to the Welsh Premiership, which is a bit more physical. That’s where you have to front, as a player and a team.”
Cardiff Met proved to be a stellar place to develop one’s rugby. Looking towards the future, it’s all about enjoyment for Manaseitava.
“I will keep enjoying the process, and I will take the opportunities if they arise, but it’s all about enjoyment.”
Built on family and fuelled by joy, Manaseitava plays the game for the purest reasons.
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