TJ Fanolua: The Trail So Far

Back rower TJ Fanolua has spent his life across England and France. He’s part of the Trailfinders pathway and the strategic partnership between the Club and Brunel University. 

As the son of ex-professional centre for Samoa and Gloucester Rugby Terry Fanolua, it might have seemed like destiny for TJ to follow in his father’s footsteps. 

Fanolua is currently a business management student at Brunel University, the partner institution in the Trailfinders performance pathway.

Whilst still at the beginning of his career, the back rower has faced adversity in the form of injury. But overcoming that challenge ignited his ambitions for success.

This is TJ Fanolua’s Trail So Far. 

The enticement of rugby 

Fanolua was born in England but lived in France as a child. His family moved across the Channel in line with Terry Fanolua’s professional rugby career. 

Of course the family connection to the sport was in part one of the reasons why TJ picked up rugby. Yet, there was another reason that enticed a young TJ to the sport. 

‘I got into it because I wanted the kit, boots and all that sort of stuff,’ he admitted. 

‘My dad got me some of those things. I remember my first game. I was actually really scared of contact. I kept hiding behind all the other players. 

‘I just really liked the kit and early doors that was one of the things that kept me in the game.

‘But my dad is one of the main reasons for getting me into rugby. We moved to France in line with his move to SAXV Angouleme which played in the Pro D2 at the time. 

‘He played a big role as a coach for me too. I went through the age-grade programme at the club when we lived in France and I suppose that was my first time playing properly.’ 

Life across the Channel 

During his time living in France, TJ started his rugby career as fullback. He recalled his memories of life across the Channel. 

‘I was very young but I do remember the other boys being a lot bigger than me at the time. The rugby was very physical compared to where English rugby was at the time. 

‘I was a fullback but I called myself that because I stood behind everyone else. I was really small compared to all the other French lads. That’s probably why I was initially scared of contact. 

‘My growth spurt came later. When I moved back to England and I had gotten bigger, I went from being afraid of contact to loving it.’ 

Fanolua returned to the UK in 2012. However, he had taken a brief hiatus playing rugby during the move. His love for the sport was re-ignited when he played on home soil. 

‘I eventually went back to rugby when we moved back to England. My mates encouraged me to play. I remember my first training session after my return and I had gone from being the smallest guy in France, to the biggest guy in my English club. I think that was the turning point when I started to enjoy contact and the sport in general.’ 

The journey 

After his return to England, Fanolua continued to play rugby through school which eventually led him to the Trailfinders Academy pathway and undertaking undergraduate studies at Brunel University. It was the hybrid set up within the pathway that stood out to Fanolua after an enjoyable schoolboy rugby career. 

‘I received a scholarship offer from Cheltenham College to play rugby. That’s when I started to drop my other hobbies and focus on my rugby. 

‘Getting a scholarship opportunity to play rugby at a private school was something I couldn’t pass on. 

‘Cheltenham was an unbelievable school. When I look back at it, I miss it. 

‘It was a weird feeling when I was first there coming from a state school where everything was just about football. At Cheltenham, people know about lots of sports and rugby was one of them.’ 

‘The move to Brunel came from being scouted by Gareth Rise and Alex Shaw who are part of the recruitment team within the Trailfinders pathway. They saw me play at a tournament for Cheltenham College. 

‘They spoke to me and my dad about what was on offer with Brunel and Ealing Trailfinders and my dad encouraged me to think about that as a future option. 

‘I enjoyed what Gareth and Alex said about the set-up.’ 

Since then, the rest is history. Fanolua currently splits his time between university rugby and training with the senior men’s team at Trailfinders Sports Club during gaps in the academic calendar. 

‘We are coming to the end of the season with Brunel. It’s the run-in to the important games like play-offs. 

‘I’ve done two pre-seasons with the senior squad at Trailfinders Sports Club. There was a stage when there were a lot of injuries in the back row and I had lots of opportunities to step up. It was very enjoyable and a good experience. 

‘I’m also just having fun being a student. I’ve learnt a lot by being at university – mainly just to look after myself. I’ve learnt lots of life lessons on this journey.’ 

Like father, like son 

It’s evident that Terry Fanolua has been an inspiration to TJ in his pathway to pursuing rugby at a professional level. 

‘My dad is really strict on me. When I was younger, I didn’t understand it or particularly like it. But now having been through what I’ve been through, he’s always tried to help me and try to make me a better player. 

‘My dad is up there as one of my idols. He’s a huge inspiration to me and the rest of my family. We got into rugby because of him.’ 

Whilst the Fanolua’s share a love for rugby, their choice of positions has differed. 

‘My dad played in the centres back in the day. I’m in the back row.’ 

Reflections from the sidelines 

Fanolua recalled how his first injury had been one of his biggest challenges in his career so far. Yet, through his on the sidelines, he came out from it with a refreshed perspective. 

‘My first injury was a big challenge. I thought before that I hadn’t been injured before and that it wouldn’t happen to me. 

‘As soon as it happened, I didn’t know what to do. It was during my time at college as well. 

‘Dealing with the mental side of injury was hard and seeing the other boys play whilst I was on the sidelines. I think that was the hardest part. 

‘Coming back after injury was the best feeling ever. It made me appreciate the sport even more. Prior to my injury, I don’t think I treated the sport perhaps in the way that I should have done or asking for help when my body was hurt. 

‘The whole rehab process taught me a lot, particularly like not rushing to get back to playing if you’re not at 100%. 

‘It was sort of like the fear of missing out. I don’t want to go through that again and I’ve learnt how I need to ask for help at times when things don’t feel right.’ 

The best bits so far 

Whilst Fanolua has only breached the surface of his rugby career and the potential that holds for the future, he recalled fond memories of schoolboy rugby. 

‘I really enjoyed school rugby. It brings back so many good memories. We had so many tournaments that we went to and you don’t really do that once you’ve left school. 

‘I still keep in touch with a lot of the lads that I went to school with. They’re on their own rugby journeys and we update each other on what’s going on. 

‘I get a lot of good advice from my friends because they’re in the same boat as me and they’ve been through similar things that I have. 

‘Speaking to them cheers me up when I’m down. I can always talk to them when I have a good or bad game.’ 

Ambitions for the future 

Fanolua is keeping an open mind to his future possibilities. The back rower is undertaking a degree in business management and is remaining flexible on where life may take him in rugby and beyond. 

‘I’m going to take things as they come and just see what happens. 

‘I want to focus on being a student athlete right now and my parents tell me that education comes first. 

‘My degree leaves a lot of bases open so I can do multiple things afterwards. If I ever got injured again, I have something to fall back on. 

‘I’m interested in the marketing side of business. I just want to learn as much as I can about entrepreneurship.’ 

Offering advice to his younger self 

During periods of rehabilitation, plenty of athletes experience a keen feeling to get back to playing as soon as possible. Fanolua echoed those sentiments. Yet, if he could give advice to his younger self, the teenager facing a period of being on the sidelines, it would be to take things steady. 

‘I’d say not to rush coming back after an injury. Take injuries really seriously. I’m still young but my injury has taken a massive toll on my body. 

‘My other message would just be to enjoy it too. 

‘In some stages of my life, I was really hard on myself but I enjoy the sport. 

‘Coaches have told me I play better when I’m more relaxed. In the past, I’ve been in my head a lot. The advice they’ve given me is to let it all go, to enjoy it. I think that’s helped a lot.’ 

What it means to be a Trailfinder 

The pathway system between Brunel University and Ealing Trailfinders has produced several first team players including Lefty Zigiriadis, Geordie Gwynn, and Josh Taylor. 

For Fanolua, the opportunities that the pathway offers are what stands out to him most. 

‘It’s unreal to be part of the Trailfinders system. The opportunities that you get being part of this set-up is the bit that stands out the most. 

‘The involvement with the diverse group of players. You get to know the boys well and they help you out because they’ve been through the system as well. 

‘Some of the players at Trailfinders have played top flight rugby and they feedback their experiences to me that helps my development. 

‘That’s the best part of being a Trailfinder – every moment is a learning lesson.’