Curtain falls on huge week for Marist family

By Deidre Fanene 20 February 2017, 12:00AM

All good things come to an end.

And so after an eventful week for the Marist family, a family to’anai after the Sunday mass at the Carmelites Monastery yesterday ended it all. 

The lunch at the Club’s headquarters at Lotopa saw sad farewells and the exchange of many wonderful stories gathered from the first Marist International Sports Week.

The event kicked off with the Fight for Marist II, followed by Rugby League Nines, Netball, Touch tournament and of course the finale which was the 29th Marist International Sevens tournament at Apia Park.

For the second year in a row, Auckland Marist players are boarding their New Zealand-bound flight with the Vailima Marist trophy. They overcame a strong challenge from Vaiala, 14-5, to secure the title.

While the Aucklanders celebrated, on Saturday night, the Marist St. Joseph’s Sports Club moved to acknowledge all the people who made the week possible.

At the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, the Sports Club hosted an invites only function to thank their sponsors. The event was well attended with each of the sponsors presented a plaque to acknowledge their support. 

The event was opened by Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, where she congratulated the Marist family for pulling together another first for Samoa. 

She eloquently acknowledged the major impact the week have on the development of local athletes.

The theme for the International Sports Week was “Develop to Inspire and Inspire to achieve.” 

 “I must acknowledge Marist’s insistence to foster relationships and partnerships with Samoa Rugby Union, Samoa Touch Association, Rugby League Samoa, Netball Samoa and the newly established, Samoa Institute of Sports,” Fiame said. 

 “This is the indication that Samoa’s development is nationwide rather then within the realms of its own boundaries.  I believe this is what they call the Marist spirit.”

And speaking of the Marist Spirit, the last words go to the President of Marist Sports Club, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, who hailed the willingness of all the people who were involved. 

“I want to say a massive fa'amalo to all the players, the administrators, the management teams and officials who took part in the inaugural Marist International Week,” he wrote. 

“I honestly believe that this concept will only get better in the coming years if it can provide another pathway to inspire someone to achieve his or her goals and dreams. 

“Seeing that Salelologa lad received the M.V.P of the tournament is an achievement from Marist's perspective. To my Marist family, this Marist Spirit never fails to amaze me.”

Until next year.

By Deidre Fanene 20 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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