A $25,506 project to improve bathroom facilities at the Saolufata Sports field was dedicated on Friday.

The village of Saoluafta contributed $5,513 with the Australia High Commission funding the balance.

Mayor of Saoluafata, Mao Tuilaepa Rasch, who is also the President of the Anoama'a Rugby Union, said the sports field did not have bathrooms. When tournaments are held, people would have to use the schools' bathrooms.

"So we requested assistance from the Australia High Commission through the village because the sports field belongs to the village," he said

"This project will cater to all three schools here, the pre-school, college and primary school. Also, it’ll cater for when parishes come together for sporting events."

Mao said that the carpenters that built the building are from Saoluafata and that was part of the village's contribution. 

Australian High Commissioner, Sara Moriarty, highlighted that for many years, the Australian government had provided small grants to community organisations and groups across Samoa to implement small scale project with large scale impacts.  She applauded the efforts of the village council for initiating the project.

"I understand that the teams use this rugby field but use the schools' toilet blocks before and so we’re really pleased to be able to fund this project so that you can build a new toilet block for the fields and in addition the surrounding fencing," she said

Ms. Moriarty believes that the project will support the health and hygiene of the growing athletes in Saoluafata as well as the district of Anoama'a.

"You should all be very proud of what you achieved here through your community efforts and the Australia High Commission is pleased to support these efforts by providing these funds."