Ten years after Reupena Levasa hoisted the World Rugby Sevens Series championship trophy with his teammates, a lot has changed for the former Manu Samoa.

These days, Levasa has recently been appointed the Sports Principal Officer for the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture.

Speaking to Samoa Observer, Levasa, who is a teacher by profession, said he is grateful for the opportunity.

"I am blessed with the given position," he said. "I have been a teacher for sixteen years and I was also playing sports. I took up both sports and education."

The decision has paid off. 

"I guess this is a great opportunity for me to share my knowledge and skills about sports with our young people and it is also my way of giving back to our young generations," he said.

He knows the task is not as easy. But he is confident that he can do it. 

Critical to his work plan is grassroots development. 

"I want to start preparing the young ones because if the foundation is strong then the outcome will be great," he said. 

"We will look at ways to teach the young ones and train them at a very young age, then we move on Primary school students and of course our college students.

"After we do our job for them while they are in school, then they will go out to their clubs and use what they have got from their school to set them up for the future."

Levasa said different students have different gifts.

"We all know that not all students are great in academic life, then at least through sports there is another alternative they can take. 

"You also have a future in sports, for instance my brothers Alafoti Faaosiliva and Ofisa Treviranus they are living a happy life and they had rugby contracts. Rugby can earn  you big money." 

Discipline is equally important as talent. 

"A kid needs to be well-behaved, trustworthy and trains hard," he said.

That's what he remembers from ten years ago when he and his teammates were on top of the world.

"I worked very hard, did my work with honesty and of course my talent is what got me in this position. I guess I'll use my position as a way for me to give back to Samoa. It's time to return the favour."