Itu o Tane College are in Upolu to participate for the first time at the Schools National XV’s Rugby Championship 2021 held today at the St Joseph’s College fields, Lotopa.
The Samoa National Schools Rugby Champ of Champ is an annual event where the top colleges from across Samoa come together to compete for the title of best national rugby side.
It is the first year Itu o Tane College has ever fielded a rugby side for girls and their U18 girls side has made it to the semi finals, played today against
In an interview with SGN, coach of the U18 girls team, Seuamuli Tutunoa Toiu said they have worked hard to make it this far and look forward to matching up to the more experienced sides.
“For the two coming days, we want to show to all the schools especially the ones which have been playing a lot that Itu o Tane College is not new to rugby,” he said.
Asked to share his team’s journey to the finals, Seuamuli said it was all about commitment and mental toughness.
He says he has focused on making sure the girls are not psychologically intimated as first timers, and hopes some of his players can get the attention of national selectors.
“It is important that my team goes onto the field tomorrow knowing that they are no different from the other female rugby teams in Upolu…age and size never matters as long as you are focused and committed to the game, you can be selected as a rugby player to represent Samoa..”
“Last year I downloaded videos for them to watch as they have never spectated a female rugby match before..”, he sad.
Seuamuli says their preparation for the national tournament has been tough because of the lack of participation of other schools, making it difficult to find opponents to play regular games with.
“This was difficult because rugby was only played within our school compound and not outside,” he added
Day 1 of the Samoa Schools National XV’s Rugby Championship 2021 kicked off yesterday 11:00am at St Josephs College Alafua with the first 16 quarter-final matches from the 3 boy’s divisions (U18, U16, U14).
Nine Under 18 girls teams will play off today, with the finals on Friday.
Itu o Tane U18 Girls are in Pool B, and their first match is at 10:50am on Field 2 against Aana No.2 College. Also in Pool B with them is Paul VI College.
The first match for the U18 Girls Semi finals will begin at 9:00am this morning with Pool A – Palauli Sisifo College playing against Leulumoega Fou College on field 1.
In Pool B also at 9:00am is U18 Girls Aana No.2 College against U18 Girls Paul VI College on field 2 and U18 Faleata College versing U18 Palauli College on field 3.
Pool A
Palauli Sisifo College
Robert Louis Stevenson College
Leulumoega Fou College
Pool B
Aana No.2 College
Itu o Tane College
Paul VI College
Pool C
Faleata College
Safata College
Palauli College
(16)
