The opening of a new rugby tournament is a long standing tradition which kept the members of the Vaiala community busy on Saturday morning. 

The Vaiala Ulalei 7s Rugby tournament is a long-standing tradition of the Vaiala Ulalei Sports Club to develop its pool of upcoming young players according to Laufiso Tomasi Peni.

He said the tournament involves six teams named after the traditional sub-villages of Vaiala village and its reviving comes many years after it was continued in the 1990s.

"This year’s tournament revives the tournament which ceased in the early 90s and also commemorates the life of two of its longtime serving Vaiala rugby drivers and beloved sons of Vaiala village Laauli Rudy Leavasa and Gu Isamaeli Time," he said. 

" The tournament champion and best player cups were donated by families of both La'auli and Gu’s families."

The Malae ta'alo playing field was full of players and supporters despite the rain on Saturday morning with the club president and former coach of Manu Samoa Sevens, Stephen Betham telling the Samoa Observer that the committee is trying to revive the Vaiala Ulalei 7s Rugby club. 

"We are reviving the club as the last time we had an active club was in 1994 so this is the reason for commencing a tournament, to revitalize our rugby club," he said. 

"The other purpose is to start looking for players to play for the Vodafone tournament coming up and that is to develop grassroot rugby.

"The cup is from Laauli Leavasa and the best player is from Gu, who have passed on. From the beginning of this field those two were part of it so we are dedicating this to them as well. There are six teams from the sub villages of Vaiala."

Asked who was sponsoring the tournament, Mr Betham said the major sponsor is Betham Brothers Enterprises, and associates sponsors include TV3, Tanoa Samoa, Rugby Samoa, Referees Association and Red Cross.

He added that they appreciate the support from the companies. 

Matai'a Loleni Taiala, one of the senior players of the club, named the sub-villages as Matagofie, Vaisigano, Tapuotaota, Fuisa'a, Taumeasina and Fogavai whom he said have had their names used in the past. 

"This is a club that is quite competitive so each sub village plays their best to beat the other. Most of the players are below 23 years old and we want to share the experience of hard work and determination with the young players," he said. 

" We were going to do this last week but the village had other competing priorities, so we are here now, and also trying to motivate the young ones to join."

Women and children also gathered around, preparing food, cheering and providing entertainment. The matais of the village were also present during the event. 

Elsamaria Pelphine Leavasa, the daughter of the late Laauli Rudy Leavasa, said she wanted to wish her father a Happy Father's Day in heaven.