Former Lupe o le Soaga rugby players are banding together to raise funds for new uniforms and other expenses.

The first fundraising drive at Magiagi village attracted 20 former players who attended to mark the official launching of the club’s fundraising drive.

Club member, Leao James Huch, said the former players began the initiative early this year to purchase new uniforms.

“It’s all about improving the sport of rugby, not only in our village but also in the whole of Samoa,” he said. “It’s the game that not only got the boys together back in those years until now, but it’s something we as former players think is best to get our young boys into.”

The effort by the former players received a boost when the club dominated the recent 2020 Taula Apia Rugby Union tournament, where the men’s team successfully defended their premiership.

There are 20 former players currently based in Australia and New Zealand, who are also part of the fundraising initiative. They will be expected to hold separate fundraising meetings and fund the initiative out of their own pockets. 

According to Huch, purchasing new club uniforms is not their only objective.

They are also looking at improving other aspects of the rugby tournament, in a bid to improve the players’ skills set as well as to secure a spot in bigger tournaments. 

A former player who lives in the U.S., Anitele’a Pesa, is throwing his full support behind the fundraising initiative.

“As most of us know, this village has dominated mostly not only in rugby, but especially soccer so all these are for our children or the young boys and girls growing up to love sports,” he added.

As the club mainly comprises former players, they are also looking at extending their services to the soccer team.