What do more than 400 young rugby players and two former Manu Samoa captains have in common?
Well, if you were at the Pesega grounds yesterday, you would have found that whereas the young players are hungry for opportunities to develop their talents on and off the field, the two former Manu Samoa players are equally determined to help them find those opportunities.
For former Manu Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger, Rugby Academy Samoa, is his dream but he is quick to say that it is not about himself or anyone else for that matter.
“It’s the simple reason why we’ve just called it Rugby Academy Samoa,” he said. “Rugby Academy Samoa is for Samoa and the focus is the development of those young players so that they could get an opportunity for scholarships to overseas clubs and schools.”
Another former Manu Samoa captain, George Stowers, shares Schwalger’s dream.
But he sees the Academy reaching beyond rugby and career development.
Addressing the players yesterday, Stowers was straight to the point.
“Don’t waste your time fighting around town,” he said. “Instead use your time wisely with school, in your family and sports. We are here to give you an opportunity to help yourself, your family and your community.”
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Schwalger, Stowers and another Manu Samoa teammate, Fa’aofo Junior Leota, are three of many passionate faces behind the Academy, which already has the backing of two super rugby franchises in New Zealand, Waikato Chiefs and the Wellington Hurricanes.
While yesterday was one of the Academy’s first public drills, the groundwork started many months ago when Schwalger returned to Samoa for his family. He and his team have been visiting schools, especially in the rural areas, identifying raw talent in 15-17 years-old age bracket.
“I was amazed by the raw potential,” Schwalger said. “They had size, they had talent but all they need is professional development.
These players are playing rugby in the villages and they were excited at the prospect of getting a scholarship.”
So excited were the players, the turn out yesterday was way higher than what was expected. From a list of 240, they narrowed it down to 111. At Pesega yesterday, however, more than 400 players turned up and registered.
The players were put through their paces through basic drills where 80 will be picked for the Academy. As a starting point, these players will train with the Academy twice a week.
“We want to give everyone a chance,”
Schwalger said. “This is a brand new academy and it is something that was in my heart to come to Samoa and do so that others like myself and George Stowers can give back to the community.”
Schwalger said there is a lot of passion for rugby in Samoa but in this day and age of professional rugby, passion no longer cuts it.
“We have very few opportunities available for them to showcase their talents. The academy fills in that gap to provide some avenue for young talent from Samoa to reach the next level in their game. What we are looking at is those with attitude or know how to discipline themselves.”
Schwalger said the chosen 80 would be given proper training and will become eligible for scholarships to play rugby and study overseas.
Gaps left by players who get picked up will be refilled using other local players.
“Our goal is to up skill these stars of Samoa for the future so that they not only have good opportunities in rugby, but they also get the education they need.”
“The fact is, if we push them in opportunities like this, it will help their families in many ways and of course the whole country.”
Asked if the Samoa Rugby Union was involved; Schwalger said: “Well no but this will benefit the Union and other clubs in Samoa.”
One of the parents present yesterday;
Fa’atoia Tulia, thanked Schwalger and the Samoa Rugby Academy for the initiative.
“What I like about this Academy is that it is run by people with proven track records in rugby and people who have a real heart for Samoa,” he said.
“I came this morning thinking that it was just a rugby thing but I’ve heard that education is a key part of it and I thought what an awesome idea it is. So I wish them all the best.
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