The Younger Volavola

Fly My Winged Child

Through the eyes of a Flying Fijian mum

“Only a brother can love like a father, annoy like a sister, care like a mother and support like a friend.” This is Milan Volavola in a nutshell! Also known by family as Milano or Milz, he is the youngest of my two sons and the younger brother of Ben Volavola.

Milan was 4 years old when we moved to Australia and was 6 when Ben started playing junior club rugby.  A selfless child who would always and continues to put others’ needs ahead of his own.

Milan 5 and Ben 9

He is the kind of brother you would want in your corner. As a child he didn’t rebel because of all the attention that was given to Ben, neither did he complain. In fact, he simply jumped on the same bandwagon I was on and supported his brother just as much as I did.

As the younger brother, Milan made it easy for me to provide the support that Ben desperately needed in such a competitive environment and I will always be grateful to him for this.

Even before Ben was spotted by rugby scouts, Milan had big dreams not just for himself but for his brother. A rugby enthusiast, Milan would be front and centre at every training session and game that Ben played. He liked getting involved but I also believe he was  there to look out for his brother.

During Ben's training sessions in the middle of winter, I would at times, stay in the car to complete my university assignments while Milan would be out on the oval setting up the team’s training equipment, running drills alongside the coach and putting away the equipment after each training session. He was 6 years of age.

Milan ready to run the Tee

During game days he volunteered to run the water and the kicking tee. And during our car rides back home, he would critique Ben’s game. The drive always took us an hour 15 minutes so there was a lot of time to chat about the game before and after.

Milan was just one of those kids who always had an opinion about every game. His critique was always very constructive although at times I would see his older brother rolling his eyes in the back seat of our car. Nonetheless, the two brothers would always have great discussions as I drove us home. This was my A team!

As Ben started making a name for himself in the rugby circles particularly during his time playing for Southern Districts in the New South Wales State Shute Shield competition and finally making inroads into the Super Rugby world, his popularity started to grow. And as is often the case, when your popularity grows, everyone wants to be your friend.

But I thank God for Milan. When Ben needed an honest opinion about his game or a decision he would have to make, he would ask Milan. He knew that Milan had no hidden agenda and only wanted the best for him. There were probably many times that Milan would tell him things he probably didn’t want to hear, but Ben accepted it anyway.  Ben always valued the truth and who better to tell him than his own brother.

For years growing up, Milan put his dreams on hold to ensure Ben got to achieve his goal in becoming a professional rugby player. I had enrolled him into the Yamaha Music school to learn piano and he also joined the Australian children’s choir. None of that interested him. He was happier to see his brother strap on those boots and create some magic on the field during practice sessions and game time.

Milan's rugby days at Trinity Grammar

Milan graduates from UTS

Although Milan did play rugby himself, he chose to pursue a Bachelors’ degree in Business which has landed him a career in Accounting. His love however for rugby was evident. Instead of pursuing rugby as a player, Milan became a player agent two years ago in 2016 around the same time he graduated as a qualified accountant.


Milan who is 24 years of age, manages 3 Australian Wallaby players plus, a handful of young men of Pacific Island, NZ and Australian heritage who play rugby and rugby league.

In everything that Milan puts his hands to, he will always find a way to use it to help others. Whilst working full time as an Accountant, Milan wearing his cap as a sports player agent managed to secure school scholarships for 9 young Fijian boys in New Zealand and in Australia.  When I congratulated him for all the hard work in making a difference in the lives of so many young boys, his response was, “Just being a vessel mum, just being a vessel.” A vessel of blessing is what he was alluding to.

Whilst we have all worked very hard to get where we are today, it is the giving back that is so important to us. This is something that I have always encouraged my boys to do, which is; in all that you do, Jesus must be the centre of it all and if you have the capacity to help someone, go ahead and help.  Yes, we are a family of Christian faith and we love to put our teachings into action.

Milan always sat in team talks with Ben

Thinking back to every stage of Ben’s junior rugby and even when he first started his Super Rugby career, Milan was always there. Milan was starting to make a name for himself with Ben’s team mates simply because of the kind-hearted child he was and as a selfless young man he has become.

At nearly every game, between the age of 6 to 9, Milan was always out on the oval wanting to help. It was on the 2003 NZ tour when I first saw Milan in action. Running the tee, running the water, running the ball and anything else he was asked to do. This act of selfless service by Milan continued up until Ben was 16 when he wasn’t playing rugby.

As I mentioned in the chapter before this, Milan and I  toured with Ben's U12 Manly Marlin reps. It was 2003 which was also a rugby world cup year. Everyone on tour had their own predictions. Naturally most of the players were hoping for an Australian victory but not our Milan. His prediction for a victory was England. He believed this so much so that he managed to convince me to buy him an English Rose Rugby Jersey with the number 10 ironed on at the back of it. Milan loved Johnny Wilkinson, England’s number 10, a phenomenal kicker and a great fly half for England.

L-R: Milan, Reece, Ben
Milan proudly wears his English Jersey on the flight to NZ

During the tour in New Zealand, Milan proudly wore his jersey in-front of all the aspiring hopeful future Wallabies during the entire tour, much to his brother’s embarrassment I’m sure. But this is Milan, he wears his heart on his sleeve and we love him for that. I on the other hand thought this was quite entertaining to see him walking around in this jersey oblivious to the stares. But again, this was Milan. Fearless and quietly confident.

If there is one special memory, I have of Milan’s part in his support for Ben, it was what he did during one of Ben’s semi-final games for the Junior U13 Southern District rep team at Scott’s College, here in Sydney.

It was bucketing down rain and parents were scattered around the stadium, in the stadium and alongside the oval. I was one of the parents braving the rain under my umbrella along the oval whilst 9-year-old Milan stood in the rain next to the coaches wearing a rain jacket. Ben played flyhalf (10) and was also the kicker for the team.

Milan and Ben spend christmas together 2018

It was to be Ben’s first of several conversion kicks that had Milan running out onto the oval. My 9-year-old was drenched from head to toe and he didn’t seem to mind the rain. After-all, he was only doing this for his brother.

Approaching Ben, Milan picked up the rugby ball, unzipped his black jacket, pulled out a white towel and proceeded to dry the ball for his big brother’s kick. That was a moment! A memory that will forever be etched in my heart. A display of sibling love and support to the core, an act of a younger brother who simply adored his older brother and still does. Milan would back his brother any time, any day and always!

As for the kick, the conversion was successful. And as for the RWC 2003 champions, Milan was right. England won at the boot of Johnny Wilkinson who successfully kicked a drop goal.

Next Chapter: The Challenges