Future stars on their way

One of the forces behind the Rugby Academy Samoa and former Manu Samoa captain, Mahonri Schwalger, is on cloud nine. Merely five months after the official launch of the Academy, five of his boys are set to leave the country on rugby scholarships.

Three will be on scholarships in New Zealand while two are heading to the United States of America.

The Sunday Samoan visited the Academy during one of its training sessions at Pesega.

Ta’afaga Jr. Tagaloa and Ropeti Lafo are both heading to Yale University in the U.S.A.

Tagaloa who just finished high school in Pesega started playing rugby when he was six years old.

He hails from Satupaitea, Savai’i and is the son of Faiaivale and Taafaga. His mom, Faiaivale expressed her deep gratitude to the Academy.

“I’m so surprised about these guys (Rugby Academy Samoa) because we don’t pay them,” she said.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Ropeti Lafo sees the opportunity to widen his horizon ,saying he will use his career to develop his family.

Ropeti has played for the Manu Samoa in 2012 and Samoa A in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

He is the son of Rachel and Lafo and he hails from Vaiusu.

Tagaloa and Lafo are on full scholarships for two years.

The three boys going to New Zealand are Albert Stanley, Della Neli and Stephen Schwenke.

Stanley, who came to Samoa from Fiji due to his mom’s work is blessed that he was chosen for the scholarship. He will be heading to Hastings Boys' High School in Hawke’s Bay. The 18-year-old who wants to become a future pilot and professional rugby player is the son of Joseph and Salome. He leaves his fellow rugby players with a reminder to “just to put God first and work hard because hard work conquers everything.”

Neli, 16, is heading to St, Paul's Collegiate School in Hamilton. “It’s been rough and hard training but it works so I want to thank Mahonri and the training squad.”

Neli hails from the village of Matafa’a. He has big dreams, including opening up doors for his fellow players in the academy. He is the eldest child of Siaki and Velia. His dad couldn’t contain his feelings. “I feel happy for my son,” he said.

The last player is Stephen Schwenke who is heading to Rotorua Boys High School.

“It’s not going to be easy but I’m putting my heart into it and I’ll put God first,” said the 16-year-old. He hails from Vaoala and is the eldest child of Letisia and Benjamin.

His mom Letisia said she will miss her wingman. “I’m so stoked about it but I think for me it’s time to allow the Lord to move through him and let him go,” she said. “He’s only 16 so spread his wings and fly especially when it comes to rugby cause he’s also representing his family, the Academy, our church and our community.”

The three boys are on ten months scholarships.

The parents expressed their gratitude to Mahonri Schwalger, George Stowers and the team at the Academy for investing in the young players.

They also expressed their hope that the whole community will support the initiative.

For Schwalger, this is just the start.

“The academy just started five months ago and we got people tapping into it,” he said.

“A lot of clubs, a lot of schools in New Zealand, Australia, clubs in Europe and New Zealand; they all want to tap into our kids and want to invest in our kids.”

Schwalger said he works on their fitness, mindset, nutrition and he also makes sure that their education goes together with rugby.

He also admitted that there are no resources in Samoa to “hold our kids, to better them, to grow them and to make them better rugby players."

“So we’ve got to send them out."

“I’m pretty proud of these kids and I’m happy to continue this programme. I hope we go on for years so we can provide some Manu Samoa players have some All Blacks here as well. At the end of the day we never know. “One day I hope they come back and play for Samoa.” The Rugby Academy Samoa also expresses its gratitude to Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer, Pepe Fia'ailetoa Fruean who sponsored the airfare for one of the players.