The Marist Powerade Academy is serious about developing rugby and other sports at grassroots level.

As part of this, the Director for the Academy, Father Mikaele Tuimavave and his team visited St. Theresa Primary School in Lepea, and conducted drills and clinics for the students in year 7 and 8. They are also promoting Quick rip to get students to play the sport.

 “We are trying to build the students and to let them understand everything about the sport,” he said.

“We are not only focusing on the boys but the girls as well. Equality is very important and this is a good sport for the girls since it’s a non-contact sport.”

The students’ tournament will start King of 10s tournament at Marist on Saturday.

“It’s good to see these kids learning faster than we expected,” Fr. Mikaele said.

“It’s good to see them having fun and enjoying the game. After all they’ve been locked in their homes ever since the lockdown with no sports, so it’s a good opportunity for them to come out and enjoy this sport.”

They will be going around the Faleata district primary schools to do these workshops.

 They’re not focusing on the Catholics school alone but the whole of Samoa.

“We will be visiting other schools in the Faleata area and will end at Marist Brothers Primary School. But we are available to have a session with other schools. Just give us a call and we will come to help train and to make them understand more about the sport,” he said.

Seeing the young generation excited about the sports is a relief for Fr Mikaele, he says that it’s good to see them enjoying the sport.

“Not every kid is good in academic education some are better in sports. Who knows maybe this sport will be the future for some of these students,” say Fr Mikaele.