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(Photos: Diana
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NEW ZEALAND: Paddling
in Paradise
Source:
Press Release by Mark
Malaki-Williams
Outrigger Canoeing, Va’a or Waka Ama as it is
sometimes called is one of the fastest growing
water sports in New Zealand and the world at
large. At the recent 2006 World Outrigger Sprint
Champs held at Lake Karapiro in Cambridge, over
22 Countries were represented which included
neighbours Australia, Tahiti, New Caledonia,
Samoa and from as far afield as Italy, England,
Canada and the USA.
New Zealand enjoyed many gold medals at this
event and it is this success that has seen
tremendous growth within the sport both at a
regional and national level.
It is a sport which is both culturally
significant and relevant to Maori and the
Polynesian people who used ancient outrigger
canoes to navigate the Pacific. With this in
mind, many paddling regattas are filled with
fierce competition between clubs, intense
rivalry between paddlers with
passion being the common thread binding them all
together.
It was this passion that saw a group of Auckland
based Samoan paddlers, come together to form
Samoa Ne’i Galo Va’a Alo. Samoa Ne’i Galo (SNG)
put simply, means Samoa Lest We Forget. Their
objective, to use their love and passion for the
sport to raise money for charity in Samoa. The
group included two couples, two brothers, a
former Manu Samoa rugby player, a masters
paddler (over 40 years) and an under 16 year old
paddler. The paddlers (7 males, 2 females) all
hailed from different Outrigger clubs around
Auckland but decided to rally together, and
travel to Samoa to participate in the Samoa
Independence Regatta races held on May 31st and
June 2nd.
Team SNG gained first place in both the 15km
race, the 1500m sprint with female SNG paddler
Diana Tauvale winning the V1 solo woman's race
and 16 year old Joshua Perese taking the gold in
the men’s.
One addition to the itinerary was a 46km return
paddle to the big island of Savaii which SNG
decided to dedicate to local charities. Namely
Mapu-i-Fagalele (Elderly home), Fa’ataua le Ola
(Suicide prevention) and Nuanua o le Alofa
(National Council for Disabilities).
The crossing was held on Wednesday 4th June and
started from Aggie Greys resort at Mulifanua
(Upolu Is) across to Salelologa (Savaii) and
back again. Local club Pualele Outrigger also
put in a team to challenge Team SNG, and both
crews started at 7 am sharp. It was evident
early on that
Team SNG was a classy outfit, easily reaching
Salelologa first in a time of 1 hour 48 minutes
with Pualele in the distance.
The return leg provided Team SNG with a stiff
head wind bringing welcome relief from the
tropical heat. After 4 hours and 11 minutes of
paddling, they returned to Mulifanua to the
cheers of supporters, family and friends with
locals Pualele crossing in 4 hours 29 minutes.
Afterwards team SNG presented the local charity
representatives with their cheques.
Team member Mike Sala commented, “I’m humbled to
be part of this great experience, and hope that
next year, more teams from around the Pacific
will take on the Savaii Crossing challenge for
charity”.
Indeed.
Team Samoa Ne’i Galo would like thank the
following sponsors and donors for their help and
contribution. Sapolu Law Office, Lewis
Installations and Tuning, Mangere Hub Community
Centre, Marias Health Care Pharmacy, AB Store
and Flowers, Medcen Hospital, Aqua Water Sports,
Event Polynesia, Ma’aafi and Cecelia Lalomilo,
McKain Plastering, Island Designs, Marj Moore,
Rasmussen Engineering & Energy, the Perese
family from Maagiagi, Junior Meredith, Kevin
Kolohase and Yevette Kerslake.
Photo Captions:
Dawn start at Mulifanua. Team Samoa Ne’i Galo at
the finishing line in Mulifanua. Inaugural
Savaii crossing medals.
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(Photos:
eventpolynesia.com) |
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SAMOA: SIFA Secures Toa
Samoa JNR for Rugby League World Cup 2008
Source:
eventpolynesia.com
The Samoa International Finance Authority (SIFA)
has won the right to be the Jersey Naming Rights
Primary Sponsor of the Toa Samoa jersey.
The sponsorship deal will see SIFA featured
prominently on the Toa Samoa playing and
training jerseys and other outfitting gear for
the next 12 months until May 30, 2009. More
significantly, SIFA will have the naming rights
sponsorship for the all-important 2008 RLWC
year.
This is exceptionally good news to Rugby League
Samoa who up to the signing of this deal is
looking at a huge funding campaign for the Rugby
League World Cup to be held in October /
November this year.
This Deal completes the owning by SIFA of the
Jersey Naming Rights for both rugby codes after
its first deal securing the Manu Samoa JNR in
November 2005. SIFA's core business is to secure
foreign investment for Samoa’s growing economy.
Such investment also has multiplier effects,
which benefits Samoa’s economy through
employment, office rentals, telecommunication
costs and financial services fees.
The decision by SIFA to align itself with a
growing recognized sports brand in Toa Samoa is
enhancing its strategy to promote its services
not only in Europe and Asia, but also especially
with the Middle East market including Dubai.
Such strategy is a logical development for SIFA
having capitalized on the popularity of the Manu
Samoa 7s at the Hong Kong Rugby 7s Tournament
since the early 1990s to achieve and solidify
its present Asian market niche.
Rugby League Samoa President Mr Peter Paul said
that, “It is such an honor to welcome SIFA on
board, not only that it is a ‘local’ authority,
but Toa Samoa is especially excited with the
partnership helping to enhance the promotion of
Samoa in the international arena”.
“I am very pleased with this initiative by the
Board and management of SIFA. It means that Toa
Samoa will be able to deliver to the world not
only our style of rugby league but also our
brand of business and investment possibilities
for the foreign investor in Samoa’, said SIFA
Chairman Leasi Papalii Tommy Scanlan.
The SIFA deal was negotiated by Event Polynesia
who is the commercial agent for RLS and Toa
Samoa.
Toa Samoa begins its RLWC 2008 Campaign with
local trials and final trials planned in Samoa
and Auckland New Zealand respectively in July /
August. This will be followed by a sendoff
program in Samoa before the team departs for
their RLWC base in Sydney for final training
camp end of September. Toa Samoa kicks off its
RLWC draw with first match vs. Tonga in Penrith
(Oct 31), vs. Ireland in Parramatta (Nov 5), vs.
France at the Gold Coast (Nov 10).
Event Polynesia is also assisting RLS in the
launching of the Toa Samoa RLWC 2008 Sports Gear
and fundraising drives for the RLWC campaign
planned for August 2 in Samoa followed by
Auckland on August 7.
For more information on the Toa Samoa RLWC 2008
campaign:
•Mr. Fritz Tuiavii (RLS Secretary General):
fotoeyeland@lesamoa.net
•Mr. Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera (Commercial):
saipele@eventpolynesia.com
•Visit website: www.eventpolynesia.com which
also has the Toa Samoa website link.
Photo Captions:
Tuilagi Saipele with SIFA Chief Executive
Officer - Erna Vaai & SIFA Chairman and Central
Bank Governor Leasi Papalii Tommy Scanlan. Fritz
Tuiavi'i of Toa Samoa with their Major Sponsor
SIFA & Promoter - Event Polynesia.
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(Photos:
Solomona Aoelua) |
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AMERICAN SAMOA:
Faleomavaega presents Seiuli Dwayne Johnson the
Horizon Award
Source:
Office of Congressman
Faleomavaega
Congressman Faleomavaega congratulates High
Chief Seiuli Dwayne Johnson for receiving the
prestigious Horizon Award for his numerous
contributions and volunteer work in educating,
empowering, and enriching the lives of children
worldwide. This award is part of the
Congressional Award program that was established
by Congress in 1979.
“Last Thursday night, I was honored by the
Congressional Award to presentthe Horizon Award
to Chief Seiuli Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as one
of this year’s recipients,” Congressman
Faleomavaega said. “It was a memorable evening
to honor those individuals and their foundations
for their volunteer work in recognizing the
service and achievement of our
young people. The Horizon Awardees, Seiuli
Dwayne Johnson and Drew Christopher Brees of the
New Orleans Saints, are wonderful examples of
such service and inspiration to our youth.”
“During my remarks, I reminded the audience of
Dwayne’s cultural background as a Samoan chief
who was bestowed the title Seiuli by the late
Samoa Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Also, I acknowledged the contributions Seiuli
has made not only through The Rock Foundation
but to our Samoan youth and children worldwide.
His commitment and through the support of his
mother, Ata Johnson, and his family, Seiuli is
able to give much more of himself in bettering
the lives of the youth and the communities they
are from. This was displayed in Seiuli’s speech
by
recognizing his very own inspiration, his
daughter Simone.”
“We were also fortunate enough to recognize U.S.
Army Sergeant First Class Sene Polu during my
remarks where he and his family received a
standing ovation for his service and
contributions to his country. This may not have
been possible given the personal invitation by
Chief Seiuli
and his family for Sene, Rosie, and Charlie as
well as Reverend Sui “Meki” To’alepai and his
wife JoAnn to attend this remarkable event.”
“I want to take this opportunity to again
personally congratulate Susuga Seiuli Dwayne
Johnson for this honorable achievement. I also
want to thank his mother Ata for her support and
for taking the time to accompany Seiuli to
Washington, D.C. for the event,” Faleomavaega
concluded.
Photo Captions:
Photo 1 -
Holding his Horizon Award, Chief Seiuli is
pictured with Congressman Faleomavaega and
Chairman Paxton Baker of the Congressional Award
National Board who was Master of Ceremonies for
the event. Mr. Baker is also Executive VP and
General Manager of BET J and BET Digital
Networks.
Photo 2 -
L to R: Mrs. Rosie Polu, Mrs. JoAnn To'alepai,
Mrs. Ata Johnson, Charlie Polu, Chief Seiuli
Johnson, SFC Sene Polu, Rev. Meki To'alepai, and
Congressman Faleomavaega.
Photo 3 -
Congressman Faleomavaega congratulates High
Chief Seiuli and acknowledges his tremendous
service in inspiring our nation's youth when
presenting him the Horizon Award.
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(Photos:
OFC) |
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AROUND THE WORLD: Football family mourns
death of Charles J. Dempsey
Source:
Oceania Football
Confederation Press Release
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and the
football world is in mourning today after it was
announced that Charles J. Dempsey CBE passed
away early this morning after battling a short
illness at the age of 87.
Dempsey, the patriarch of Oceania football,
served as the confederation's president for 36
years until he stepped down in 2000. During his
years he oversaw the body's rise to full
confederation status from FIFA and was
responsible for raising national association
membership of the OFC from four to eleven.
He was also one of New Zealand soccer's longest
serving administrators. He was a New Zealand
Football Association national councillor for 23
years and chairman from 1982 to 1987.
Tributes have been pouring in for Dempsey from
all over the world and OFC President/FIFA Vice
President Reynald Temarii expressed his sadness
upon hearing of the death of the former OFC
President. Temarii praised Dempsey for his
tireless work throughout Oceania and commitment
to his vision.
"The Oceania Football Confederation and FIFA owe
Charles a debt of gratitude for his complete
devotion, extraordinary loyalty and unwavering
service to the sport of football.
"His perseverance, charm and drive will be
missed by all the lives he touches and my
deepest sympathies are with his family and
friends."
Dempsey's exceptional work was recognised when
he was awarded the Pacific Gold Star in 2000,
nominated as an Oceania Football Confederation
Honorary President in 2001, and presented with a
FIFA Centennial Order of Merit in 2004 for his
long and outstanding contribution to football in
the region. OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas
expressed his condolences to Dempsey's
family and mourned the loss of both a mentor and
a friend.
"Charles was an inspiration to all of us. His
loss will be very heavily felt throughout
Oceania and the world where he did so much for
the game. My thoughts are with his family."
Further details about the funeral to be held
early next week will be released soon.
Photo Caption:
Charles J. Dempsey.
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FIJI:
The University of the South Pacific launches two
books
Source:
Fiji Times
The University of the South Pacific yesterday
launched two books which would complement
learning at schools.
Author of the books, Reijieli Racule, from the
USP Literacy Centre, said the books would be
good means for students to learn about their
traditions and stories that went with them.
Ms Racule said the first book Tale magimagi,
which was in English, was already being used by
students of Forms 3 and 4 while the second book
Na Cakau series, which was in Fijian, would be
slowly introduced into the school curriculum for
Forms 3,4,5 and 6. During the launch, the deputy
secretary for Education Administration and
Finance, Filipe Jitoko, said the books would
encourage Fijian students to learn about their
culture.
Mr Jitoko said stories, poems and plays in the
Na Cakau series were all original written by
local writers.
He said the genre of the book was an
encouragement for local writers.
"The stories and poems and work in the books
would allow students to dig deeper into their
knowledge because it challenged their
intellectual and motivated them to think," he
said.
Mr Jitoko said the greatest challenge was to
encourage young people to read. "The Na Cakau
series uses vernacular language and underlines
the Fijian culture of story telling," said Mr
Jitoko.
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(Photos:
NZ Pacific Navigator - PITIC NZ & MPIA) |
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NIUE: Niue festival 2009 recruiting performers &
artists
Source:
NZ Pacific Navigator Press
Release
Organisers of the inaugural Niue Cultural & Arts
Festival 2009 are looking for Niue artists and
performers to sign up for the festival in Niue
next year. The NZ Niue group are working under
the umbrella of the Niue Fakalataha Ki Mua (NFKM)
initiative.
It was inspired by the Ministry of Pacifi c
Island Affairs (MPIA) and relies on community
volunteers undertaking a range of projects
identifi ed during community consultations.
Festival organiser Sene Falakoa and his small
but very enthusiastic team began with a
fundraising social in Auckland, followed by
three community meetings in Central, South and
West Auckland.
The meetings were aimed at sharing information
on the festival, and an eye to recruiting
potential performers and acts for the festival.
For more information on participating in the
festival please contact: Sene Falakoa at 027 249
4144; email: seneniue1@hotmail.com Issue June
2008.
Photo Caption:
Niue Cultural & Arts Festival 2009 team - (l-r)
Chani Iosia-Sipeli, Miriam
Kauhiva, Sene Falakoa and Glenda Vilisoni. Renee
Haiu with the Niue students after performing
their traditional dance at Polyfest series 08.
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