The importance of sports has grown in our society and that’s because we have come to a realization that sports is an important learning environment for people especially for our children.

Children need sports because participation can be a helpful way of increasing feelings of physical and mental well-being.

This is why the National Rugby League’s (N.R.L.) - Digicel Pacific Outreach programme held a clinic at the Samoa Victim Support Group on Thursday for the children.

 N.R.L. representative Maika Felise said “Today is one of our clinics that we run every school holidays and we take it out to the areas, where schools or kids hardly have opportunities to participate in activities like these.

“So we sort of like go out to the villages as well but today we’ve decided to come to the Samoa Victim Support Group because obviously not many sports come this way and these kids shouldn’t miss out on what we’re doing with the other schools. We wanted to bring our programme to them as well; for some happiness in their lives and also so they get to enjoy it as much as other kids.

“Sports should be introduced to these kids because there are talented kids everywhere and because somewhere in there, there’s a star player of the future. 

“It’s important that the kids know the basics of sports and the skills of sports; it doesn’t matter what kind of sports because sports make kids really happy. 

“So the first skills which we run are the basics; learning how to catch, hold and score.

“I reckon sports are very important to everyone especially these kids.”

The children also received generous gifts such as; rugby balls, books, bags, drinking bottles from N.R.L.- Digicel Outreach Programme. 

President of the Samoa Victim Support Group Siliniu Lina Chang was extremely happy and thankful that the kids got to have an opportunity to do something else other than their usual routine.

“This is the first time the N.R.L.- Digicel Outreach Programme has been inside this campus so we’re happy; you can see it on the faces of the children and it’s something different for them as well,” Siliniu said.

“Most of these children here, they live with nightmares, they live with memories of what has happened.

“And with everything that’s been happening, you can finally see them smile.

“I’m very happy and a big fa’amalo to the N.R.L. for today and also partnering with Digicel. 

“Digicel has been a partner for a long time and that belief that Digicel has in S.V.S.G., it’s making a big impact on us as well. 

“We’re out there, whatever we do for our community; we know that we have the support of Digicel.

“So hopefully N.R.L.-Digicel will keep this up.”

Siliniu also said that the kids have changed a lot and right now, they are being trained to support themselves.

“They do lessons on skill building and also have school to attend.

“They’re selling their stuff now and they’re trained to support themselves so they’re working on their skills trainings like making sei’s in different styles and other stuff like that.

“They also have their own sewing place; they are good at flower arrangements so they were helping out with some other people today including some of our team.

“We’re not 100% successful, but we do try to put in every effort to raise these kids.”