Ex-Manu Samoa Mata’uiau to speak in Ovalau
Ex- Manu Samoa hooker Onèhunga Mata’uiau is guest speaker at the Island Breeze Rugby Plus (IBRP) Ovalau this week.
The clinic will be launched today at Vatukalo by former Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu.
The clinics are back after a two-year lapse due to COVID - 19.
The China Railway sponsored clinics will be held at Vatukalo Village from tomorrow to Thursday and then at Tacilevu – January 10 – 12 and January 16-20 in Tacilevu Village.
IBRP director Waqa Baravilala said, “We are grateful that Onèhunga can avail his time from his busy schedule and to be here in Fiji to give back to rugby what he has learned over the years, I am sure young Fijians at the clinic will be blessed with his contributions.”
Baravilala added that the clinics will be hosting 100 participants – young men and women from the two villages and those from surrounding communities.
The organisation has been facilitating similar clinics in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands the last 18 years.
“We are thankful for our sponsors the China Railway Group, their support has assited us in runing two clinics in Ovalau and then one in Cakaudrove, Vanualevu,” Baravilala said.
“Rugby or any sport for that matter is a uniting common denominator in the world today. We at Island Breeze believe that we can use sport as a vehicle to influence youths to be better individuals in their families, mataqali, vanua and ultimately be great citizens, contributing positively to its growth,” Baravilala said. “The clinics are not on rugby skills and coaching only, we have sports chaplaincy, mental health awareness, community development, financial literacy sessions and engaging the Fiji Police Force in these communities.” Meanwhile Mata’uiau made his debut for Samoa against Tonga in Apia in 1996; he has played nine tests for Samoa and also featured in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
He was a mainstay for Hawkes Bay in the New Zealand domestic competition until he retired from rugby - he now coaches in Queensland, Australia.
Also, part of the clinics are former Fiji Bati and current Rugby League Development Officer Jone Wesele, Former China women’s and Fiji Under 20 coach Oscar Umuumulovo, dual international Simione Kuruvoli and former Fiji under 20 and Ovalau rep Rupeni Tamani.
Feedback: