SCOPA Touch Club pushes on with 'SAMCO spirit'

By Hyunsook Siutaia 24 August 2020, 8:00AM

The Old pupils of Samoa College have formed a touch club to add to a long list of SCOPA teams with a footprint in various sporting codes. 

SCOPA Touch Club President, Asiata Gerard Anapu, told the Samoa Observer that the Touch a Rainbow tournament was the inspiration behind the former students forming a touch club.

“It was discussed frankly at first but when the touch the crown tournament came around, this was when the discussion started to get serious and we decided to start a Facebook group to seek interest on the matter,” Asiata said.

“Surprisingly there was overwhelming support on the idea put forward. Our members met to vote officially whether to have a team or not and discuss other logistics.”

The decision by the former students to form a touch club comes on the back of the Samoa Touch Rugby convening its ‘Touch a Rainbow’ tournament at the Taumeasina Island Resort field, which saw a number of SCOPA boys and girls play for different teams.

The meeting after the tournament resulted in the confirmation of a touch club and team followed by a second meeting which finalised the club’s executive council.

Keeping the team as an all SCOPA members team is what they’re looking at, however, the council and club can make exceptions if others are interested in joining.

SCOPA already has a netball and rugby team but creating a touch club will create another platform for former students to become involved.

“All our members are from SCOPA and we will welcome any newcomers both old and fresh out of Samoa College,” Asiata added.

Approval was sought from the SCOPA Association which was welcomed by President Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.

The mission and vision of the newly formed club is still in discussion and the team is contributing ideas for a long term vision and mission, as they want a strong vision and mission that is valid and relevant for all.

“However at the moment our interim vision and mission is ‘atamai e tautua’...calling on all our SCOPA to keep wanting to serve and keep wanting to give back to our school Samoa College,” Asiata added.

“Finishing your time in college doesn’t mean your service ends there. Look for more ways to give back to the school and at the same time your community!”

The new club is currently looking for sponsors and have sent out letters and are using the opportunity to call on fellow SCOPA business-owners for their contribution, which will help them set the foundation as a club. 

The registration fee for members is set at $30.

According to Asiata, their training is on Wednesdays and Thursdays to prepare for game day on Saturday.

“Good to meet old friends and also create a new network of friends with fellow old pupils from the school. It has been fun and intense and we like to keep it that way. After all, we don’t want the interest to go away. We want to attract more to join,” he reiterated.

For the current Vodafone Touch the Crown tournament held at SRU fields, they have put together two teams: an Open Mens and a Social Mix team which includes females in line with a 50-50 ratio.

“We would like to enter more teams as there are other categories for open women and open mix but we will need more females to join and also males before we can take that step. We also like to set our foundation and ensure we keep the interest at this early stage,” Asiata said.

The team had their first game on Saturday and was a good start for their social mix which drew 5-5 against Marist Unkos while their men's team lost to Konnexion 9-2.

“That’s a good start as they have players that have been playing for some time so this is a good start,” he said

“Our men lost to Konnexion 9-2 ..again a good start. We just need to build our confidence going into the next rounds and work off our mistakes and keep improving but most importantly to enjoy and not give up.”

Asiata has appealed to all SCOPA old pupils to join, even if they aren’t interested in playing, and  encouraged them to come along and have fun to keep the SAMCO spirit going. 

The team also encourages more women to join the club. 

“Our games are on Saturdays between 12 and 4 pm so if you’re free come around to watch and cheer us on,” he added. “Also thank our current members for supporting us and for your work so far for our club!”

 Executive Council:

President - Asiata Seve Gerard Anapu

Vice President - Iosua Sililo 

Treasurer - Fa'atoese Auva'a

Secretary - Ian Rimoni

Media Director - Lalovi Peter Tau 

Coach - Toatalaola Maualaivao

Assistant Coach - Vui Falaniko Toso 

By Hyunsook Siutaia 24 August 2020, 8:00AM

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