Developing rugby on the big island of Savai'i

By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi 20 February 2020, 9:00AM


Enhancing the coaching skills and knowledge of rugby coaches in different schools in Savaii, is the main drive behind a training being carried out on the big island this week.

Facilitated and funded by the Samoa Rugby Union, the training started on Monday.

On Tuesday, it was Itu-o-Tane College's turn to host the clinic. 

The clinics are conducted by Matamua Junior Salima and Avi'i Fa'alupega Magele from the Samoa Rugby Union.  

"First of all, the purpose of this rugby coaches training, is to refresh the minds of the coaches on level 1 of coaching. Most of these coaches have attending other clinics and trainings before, so they are aware of the skills needed and the basics of coaching rugby," Matamua told Samoa Observer. 

"The aim is to remind them and to enhance their coaching skills so they can pass on this knowledge to our aspiring rugby players."

Moreover, Matamua said these clinics are all part of their commitment in developing rugby in Samoa.  

"As we've seen, the results from our 7s team lately is not looking good, but we truly believe and are optimistic about this development. 

"Especially in the grassroots level, it is where everything starts. If we teach our young children the right skills and the basics at this age, they will go far and will be able to carry on and develop their skills as they move on with their lives.

"So hosting these coaching clinics for our local coaches gives us the opportunity to share with the local coaches in the community about the different skills and how to develop their knowledge so they can coach our young players.

"This development is an ongoing development with the hope to educate our local coaches because they are the ones teaching and coaching our young children back in the community and as the future of our country, these young boys or girls will feed our national teams when they grow up.

"So basically, we want to remind our coaches to stick to basics and to encourage them to push and motivate our young athletes there is a lot of potential in our young boys."

The initiative to host these clinics in Savaii was praised by the Principal of Itu-o-Tane College, Laufou Alofipo Fa'amanu Manase.

"This is a great programme in my opinion," Laufou told Samoa Observer. 

"It reminds our local coaches about the basic skills a coach need to teach to his team or our aspiring rugby players.

"And it is a great initiative reaching out to the community and especially for our coaches here in the big island.

"Not only that but the clinic is fitting as we look to kick off the Cup 7s and the regular season for the schools."


Tags

School sports
Savaii
By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi 20 February 2020, 9:00AM
Samoa Observer

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