Manu Samoa Overseas Coordinators in Place

Written by Sports Correspodent
Tuesday, 06 May 2008
An innovative move to improve Manu Samoa’s international competitiveness and brand has been initiated by the Samoa Rugby Union (SRU). The move, to formalize partnerships via Coordinators tapping into New Zealand and Australia’s Samoan communities, aims to generate revenue and identify rugby talent. The revenue will help SRU with new initiatives, and to improve and sustain domestic rugby developments tabled in its 2008-2011 Strategic Plan. Su’a Peter Schuster, CEO for Samoa Rugby Union stated, “I am very happy to announce the appointment of SRU Rugby coordinators in Australia and New Zealand. They will look after matters relating to Samoan rugby and the Manu Samoa brand in their respective countries.” In Australia, Tofa Nuafesili Tavita Sio is the Official Coordinator, while Afioga Aiolupotea John Roache, President for the Auckland Samoa Rugby Football Union Inc. looks after New Zealand. “The partnerships aim firstly to source additional revenue and second to coordinate identification and recommendation of potential players of Samoan heritage for Samoa’s National Teams (U19s, U20s, Pacific Rugby Cup-Savaii Samoa & Upolu Samoa, Manu Samoa and Manusina 15s and 7s)”, says Su’a Schuster. “We see our coordinators, as a strategic channel to advocate Samoan rugby, assist with rugby scholarship activities, source used clubs and schools old rugby gears, promote SRU/PUMA merchandising products and other opportunities.” Tofa Nuafesili Sio is confident the partnership has a bright future in Australia. “There are many Samoans playing in Senior Club teams in Australia and together with many former Manu Samoa players living in the communities, there is a soft spot for Samoan Rugby in the Australian Rugby fraternity” says Nuafesili Sio. “Timing is excellent where the SRU, right now, can provide the glue to bring rugby and other Samoan social sports and networks together. It’s exciting and together with our partners in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide I am thrilled and humbled to be appointed as Coordinator for all SRU activities here in Australia.” Tofa Nuafesili liaises with the appointed Melbourne Committee team comprising of Asi Luaei Ioelu Siaoloa, Tom Tusitala and Mose Palamo. Lemalu Roy Slade has been appointed from the Brisbane community. The Sydney area is represented by the Sydney Samoan Rugby Association while an Adelaide representative is yet to be confirmed. For New Zealand, Afioga Aiolupotea John Roache has already moved forward with the project. “As President of the Auckland Samoa Rugby community I am excited and fully supportive of this innovative move by the Samoa Rugby Union. We have been supporters of Samoan rugby for decades and this is a great vehicle for closer collaboration for the continuous development of rugby in Samoa. It’s a privilege and an honour for me to be involved in this new direction and era for Samoan rugby.” Aiolupotea with the assistance of Samoan rugby legend Afioga Papaliitele Leaosiosio Pita Fatialofa and Nicholas Bakulich have started work to set-up a small dynamic committee comprising Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The committee will focus specifically on developing community and business-based projects for the SRU. The Samoa Rugby Union plans to extend its International Community Network to include USA and Europe in the near future. Samoa Rugby Union is confident the partnerships will achieve much for Samoan rugby development and resource sustainability by bringing Samoans at home and overseas closer together through rugby. “This is the start of a global Samoan Rugby franchise. We are looking to some very good things happening from this in the near future”, states Su’a Schuster. Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Monday, 05 May 2008 )

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