The Marist Sport Club launched its Powerade Sports Academy at the A.C.P. Marist Stadium in Lotopa during the week of the 58th Independence celebrations in Samoa.

Marist Club President, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, welcomed their new recruits in his opening remarks and highlighted the trajectory of their club developments with an emphasis on attitude, commitment and discipline.

He also emphasised the critical need for off the field factors such as leadership and strategic planning that the club and academy coordinators can contribute to the professional capacity of the players. 

"The program was shelved due to the state of emergency in Samoa, but this five-year plan was supposed to be unveiled during the Marist 2020 sports season," Faimalomatumua said in a statement.

The sports club’s remaining tournaments for this year is their boxing, netball and basketball.

Rugby League Samoa President, accountant and former club president, Tagaloa Faafouina Sua also shared his experiences as a player and a life after sports. 

"The purpose of their Powerade Sports academy is to develop the young players to represent clubs in any sport, with a focus on both skills and character to ensure professional capacity to compete for national selection and identify prospective career opportunities", he stated in the statement.

The Powerade Sports Academy with its club partners and associates aim to provide a platform to secure pathways overseas for local players. 

"Given the Covid-19 restrictions, the initial recruit commenced with a small number of individuals with interest in boxing, rugby league, union and soccer with training concentrated on fitness and conditioning," the club added in its media release.

Head Coach Tausa Faamaoni Lalomilo and Lemalu John Lemisio have been coordinating the training programmes with other executive members. 

The decision by the Cabinet to give the green light for the return of contact sports is a huge step for the Marist Sports Club, according to the club’s statement and they have also acknowledged their naming rights sponsor.

"The approval of contact sports under S.O.E. for all sports will allow an increase of recruits with inclusion of female athletes to attend. The Academy is also grateful to the support of Vailima as the major sponsor taking the naming right as Powerade Sports Academy.”