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From football pitch to music stage: Young Nepali woman is making dreams come true in Australia
Rojina Tamang arrived in Australia from Nepal in June 2022 as an international student to study cookery. But in less than a year, she's not only training for the kitchen but also pursuing her sporting goal and musical dream.
Published 8 March 2023 12:00pm
Updated 8 March 2023 12:34pm
By Shikha Basnet Khadka, Abhas Parajuli
Source: SBS
Image: Rojina Tamang (R) says coming to Australia for further studies was one of the best decisions of her life. Ms Tamang says she's living the dream in Melbourne. (Photo: Supplied)
Key Points
- Rojina Tamang, 22, is a Nepali international student who is following her dreams in Australia
- With all Nepali soccer clubs only admitting male players she faced hurdles
- She now performs regularly at community events as a musician too
Australia was not even in Rojina Tamang's mind when she graduated high school.
She says the wait became intolerable once her friends started flying overseas to study.
“After seeing my friends leave Nepal to study overseas, I too wanted it,” she says.
I had no expectations before coming to Australia.Rojina Tamang
The Men's Club
Ms Tamang, 22, had been playing competitive soccer back home since she was 17.
She says starting karate at a very young age helped her stay fit and become physically stronger than other girls, which helped.
Rojina Tamang says Karate helped her to be a strong soccer player. (Photo: Supplied)
I could shoot long and hard; I was strong.Rojina Tamang
After arriving in Melbourne, she wanted to continue playing soccer but didn't know where to start.
But soon enough, Ms Tamang found that all the active Nepali soccer clubs in Melbourne only have men’s teams.
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Nepali Football in Australia
Finding solace through soccer
But she was eager to continue her love for the round ball game in Australia, and as luck would have it, Ms Tamang found out about the Brunswick City Soccer Club (BCSC) through mutual contacts.
“When I heard about the women’s tournament, I got really excited because I hadn’t played football since I arrived in Australia,” Ms Tamang said.
But then realised I didn’t even have [soccer] boots.Rojina Tamang
“On the match day, I rocked up there in runners while everyone was wearing a proper jersey and boots; I felt so embarrassed,” she remembers.
Rojina Tamang (FL 4) says the local women's soccer club in suburban Melbourne has embraced her like their own. (Photo: Supplied)
However, Ms Tamang says she did end up having a great time and was elated to get positive feedback from the team members.
The experience motivated her to join the club, but she was a little apprehensive at the same time
“I had so many questions in my head,” she explains.
Although I knew it was just in my head, I feared I might not be able to train optimally occasionally and would be told off.Rojina Tamang
The BCSC embraced Rojina Tamang and told SBS Nepali it wants to welcome more women and girls from diverse backgrounds into the club.
Rojina ‘Titung’ Tamang is happy she can once again play competitive soccer. (Photo: Supplied)
Melissa Lee is the head coach of the BCSC and was full of appreciation for the Himalayan recruit.
“Rojina is a very strong player in our team, and in this very short period of time, she has showcased to us what she is capable of,” Ms Lee says.
I think it’s quite brave of Rojina to come to Australia and do what she is doing currently without that support from the family.Melissa Lee, Head Coach, BCSC.
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16 Nepali football teams competing
Not only soccer
Rojina Tamang now regularly performs at community events. (Photo: Supplied)
During the lockdown, she learnt to play the guitar by watching videos on YouTube.
And by the time restrictions eased, Ms Tamang says she was good enough to play it publicly.
Using virtual community groups on social media, she even scored some gigs to play in cafes and restaurants.
This can-do attitude has helped her settle well in Australia, doing what she loves.
She has started performing as the opening act in community musical shows, and she sings every Sunday at a local restaurant in the city.
Last year, I wasn’t even thinking of Australia, but now I am [starting] to live my dreams in this faraway land.Rojina Tamang
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Deal to empower Nepali women.
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