Rugby International returns home

Koko returns to Porirua after living in Europe during a 15-year professional rugby career. Having spent 3 years in Italy, one in England and 11 years in Dax, France, Ali thought it was time to come home. His rugby at Wellington started at schoolboy level and progressed to the U19s, U21s Colts and then the Wellington NPC squad from 1997 to 1999. Ali made his debut for Samoa against Japan in 1999, but his greatest rugby experience was representing Wellington, and scoring two tries in a Ranfurly Shield challenge playing opposite Bruce Raehana. “It’s been less than a week in the country and it’s very exciting coming home, seeing how the colour and the richness of Porirua remains vibrant,” Ali says. “Ultimately returning home and having the opportunity to work with chief executive Fiso John Fiso and the New Zealand Institute of Sport has been a real blessing. “I have a huge respect for what John does for many of our Porirua youth in terms of education and careers. “I was a student at Mana College when he was head of the PE department, and he really looked out for us boys who supposedly had a gift in sport. He basically believed in finding the hook that untapped our talent not only on the sport. “You Just have to look at us Porirua boys like Rodney, Steve So’oialo, Elvis Seveali’I, Lesa Laga and Robecca Toomaga and plenty more Porirua alumni NZIS students. “I have worked for some time with troubled youth in Dax, and the opportunity to work in the Youth Guarantee programme with my own community and abroad is what I am excited about. “As an old boy of NZIS, I have valued the education, international tours and career development. Who would have thought the NZIS organisation, born out of Porirua with 18 students, would now boast close to 900 learners together, with its subsidiary, the NZ College of Massage, which now operate in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. “I am humbled and proud to be a member of staff and encourage youth and adults learners who have an interest in sport, fitness and recreation to join our family, because together we will take you places as they did with me.”