Samoa Tag Incorporated has taken the game to the grassroots with its sport development program and involved several local schools to help grow the non-contact sport.

The sport is also keen on promoting an active healthy lifestyle for young children and youth in Samoa with the Samoa Primary School playing host to the code's officials on Tuesday. 

After the students were divided into groups, they were taught the basics of the sport and the rules as well as the importance of being aware and working with teammates. The game revolves around trying to get the ball onto the opposing team's try line similar to rugby.

The only contact allowed between players is the removal of a tag by a defender from the belt of the ball carrier. Once the tag is removed, the defender must shout ‘tag’ and return it to the attacker.

A 'tag' is the removal of one of the two tags from the ball carrier’s belt. Only the ball carrier can be tagged. The ball carrier can run and dodge potential taggers but cannot fend them off using their hands or the ball like normal rugby, and cannot guard or shield their tags in any way.

Players must always have two tags affixed to their belts whilst taking part in the game. Once a player is tagged six times, they will have to hand over the ball to the other team.

The school clinics are one way they are trying to grow awareness of the sport which is one of the fastest growing sports in Samoa.

Meanwhile, a day earlier, Samoa Tag Incorporated was given a $10,000 boost by Digicel Samoa with President, Fa’aofonuu JP Leota saying he was happy to have Digicel Samoa throw their support behind the event.

“We want to thank the CEO for putting his trust in Samoa Tag," said Fa’aofonuu. "The sponsorship that we received from Digicel will go a long way in helping to prepare for the Digicel Teuila International Tag series and also developing our youth tag programs for the coming years.

“We've got eight overseas officials with about six of our locals who will be helping out with the tournament. We are discussing a lot of programs and plans that will involve Digicel and we’re just truly grateful for them.

“We have 35 teams playing now and this is a great number to start off with, especially with the pre-COVID year in just getting everything back to normal and making sure that the existence of the international tag series remains now with Digicel onboard.” 

Eleven teams from overseas will be in Samoa and most of them have started flying in this week with the rest of the competitors coming from local teams.

“This is good for us because it shows that the game is growing and non-contact sport is coming up. We want to say a big thank you to the CEO and the Digicel family again for the sponsorship and for looking after Samoa Tag – not only for the Teuila series but for the future and in the long run."