User:Lepoud/Wainuiomata New Zealand Samoans Rugby

Wainuomata New Zealand Samoans is a team which consists of young local Wainuiomata Samoan Rugby players who are embassoders for Samoan Rugby in New Zealand. They aim to travel the world to promote Samoan Rugby in New Zealand. This team also look to be great embassoders of Samoa, both on and off the field by running workshops with schools, performing samoan cultural performances in hope that fellow samoans and pacific islanders within the Wainuiomata community can also be heavily involved. So far, The WNZS Rugby team have accomplished their first goal by attending The Cobra 10's Tournament held annually in Kuala Lumpur.

Cobra 10's
Wainuiomata New Zealand Samoans attended the Cobra 10's on 13th and 14th of November. With an average age of 21, WNZS eneterd as the youngest team in this prestegious competition. Although, against all odds, managed to place second in the bowl round. WNZS were well known for their bone crushing defense and electrifying offense. As they are still all very young, this experience has set their bench mark for the next tournament to be held in 2011.

History/The Road to KL
The Wainuiomata New Zealand Samoans was founded by Ati Aaifou Olive, who has played rugby professionally in several places such as Scottland, Ireland, Samoa. A Manu Samoa representitive, Aaifou-Olive understands the importance of keeping to ones roots. His main purpose for this orginisation was to promote the talents of young New Zealand Samoans, begining with his hometown of Wainuiomata. Aaifou-Olive hopes to broaden the scope to Lower Hutt/Wellington in the near future and also encourage fellow Pacific Islanders to be heavily Involved. Another key reason is that Aaifou-Olive felt that the administrative side of rugby in NZ lacks Polynesians, hence this orginisation is encouragement for polynesian parents to be more involved with local rugby clubs. Fundraising for Cobra was a difficult task, in that Aaifou-Olive and the orginisation were to start from scratch. Fundraising events such as a community garage sale, Hangi's, and an official launch night turned out to be of great success. The Launch night Featured local icons such as Piri Weepu, Earl Va'a and Justin Va'a who are great supporters of the cause. Another Power House behind this orginisation is All Black Prop Neemia Tialata.