Update Profile Picture Samoa Tag U21 Mens Auckland NZ

18 young men (and their volunteer support staff of 5) of Samoan descent from Auckland New Zealand are needing your assistant to help further develop and maximise their sporting and leadership potential through their preparation and attendance representing Samoa Men’s U21 at the 2015 ITFF Tag World Cup in the Gold Coast, Australia from 30 November to 9 December 2015.

The volunteer staff & boys continue to put in a huge effort to try to raise approximately $25K, however require your assistance to cover costs. Total cost for this trip is approximately $50K.

Many of the boys involved in this squad come from backgrounds where opportunities such as this are often forfeited in lieu of providing basic family living and survival costs. We humbly urge you to donate, support and share this message, no amount is too small. All donations will be acknowledged and we will keep in touch with the progress via our Facebook page.

**SAMOA TAG U21 MENS TESTIMONIALS**

**Iakopo Tapu Iakopo | Age: 21 years| Region: Otara/ Papatoetoe

I have been playing tag under the guidance of Tony Tietie & Lee Paniani for the past 5 years. Being given the opportunity to play and represent my homeland of Samoa for the Tag World Cup 2015, is an honour and a privilege, and like many other sports, it comes with financial problems. Seeing that I’m a young Samoan and the only one at this moment working to help my parents provide for my younger siblings that are still in school and studies, it’s difficult to manage, especially when it comes to family and playing the sport I love. As a player for the past 5 years, I’ve learnt a lot from my coach and have experienced playing at my highest point. From playing Counties Manukau U18 and winning that year in 2013 was a huge highlight, but yet it was difficult financially. Even to winning the Trans-Tasman competition between Australia & NZ on that same year. My fellow team mates and I have been training hard for the World Cup and we are wishing that we could be there to represent our country and make our parents proud. Not least, but winning the U21s Men’s grade and bringing home the gold.

Sporting achievements:

• Premier Rugby Rep (Marist 2012-2014)

• Samoa Tag U21s Men’s (ITFF Tag World Cup Semi-Finalists 2012)

• Counties Manukau Ambassadors U19s Boys (NZTFI Tag Nationals Winner 2013)

• Trans-Tasman NZ U19s Boys (Tag Trans-Tasman Series & Team of the Tournament Winners 2013)

• Rugby Premiers Rep (Papatoetoe Rugby 2015)

**Marouna Benioni| Age: 19 years | Region: Otara/ Otahuhu

I’ve been coached and managed by Lee & Tony since I was 13. In every single team I’ve been in that has involved Lee & Tony, it has not only been a team but a family. They are like parents not only guiding all of us boys on the field, but also in life. I truly believe that the team we have this year is more than able to take out the Tag World Cup in the Gold Coast. We have the skills, we have the right team in place and we have the bond of brotherhood and family. A team that bonds off the field is a team that wins on the field. I am proud to be representing Samoa at this year’s Tag World Cup.

Sporting achievements:

• Toa Samoa Rugby League U18 Australian Tour Team

• Toowomba Valleys Rooster RLFC U18 2014

• West Coast Pirates 2013 and 2014 SG Ball Draw

• Captain of the winning team and team of the tournament for 2013 New Zealand Boys 19s Trans Tasman Series

• St Paul’s College 1st X111 (Secondary Schools National winners for 2012)

• Otahuhu Rugby League U17 (2012 Competition winners for South Auckland Tournament)

**Talavou Faumuina | Age: 19 years | Region: Papatoetoe

When it’s about representing your culture at a top level, there aren’t that many opportunities available. When these opportunities do arise, there’s a lot of financial input needed, and as a young Pacific Islander it can be a huge set back especially if you are helping to provide for your family, in particular, our parents, because that’s part of our heritage, to honour our parents in this way. Going to World Cup is our main focus as a team, but financially we all have other commitments so it is going to be a bit of a struggle. Our hopes of playing at World Cup are slowly fading but I believe we have the team to win this year and we a determined to no let financial issues stop us from winning. I thank you for reading this and pray that our team gets that chance to show how much passion and pride we have for not only the jersey, but the game itself. Once again, thank you and God Bless.

Sporting achievements:

• Tangaroa College 1st IV (Secondary Schools National Winners 2012)

• Counties Manukau Ambassadors U19s Boys (NZTFI Tag Nationals Winners 2012)

• Samoa Tag U18s Boys (ITFF Tag World Cup Semi-Finalists 2012)

• Trans-Tasman NZ U19s Boys (Trans-Tasman Series & Team of the Tournament Winners 2013)

• Auckland 18s Rugby 2013/2014

• Currently playing for the Auckland 19s Rugby

**Joseph Siaosi | Age: 19 years | Region: Otara

I have been playing under the coaching and management guidance of Tony Tietie & Lee Paniani, since I was 16. I am blessed to have been under their wing during this time, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time playing. Over the past 3 years, we have gained a number of Championship titles which are Trans-Tasman 2013, Tag NZ Nationals 2013 and also the Oceania title for 2014. In 2012, we played in the Tag World Cup, and lost in the final for the U18s Men’s grade against Australia. This year we are hoping to gain gold in the Tag World Cup, held in Sunshine Coast, Australia. I am looking forward to participating in this year’s Tag World Cup as a team member of the Samoa U20s Men’s and am looking forward to coming out on top for this tournament. I believe we have the team to bring this World Cup title home, not only for myself as a player, but also for my parents and family members who will be supporting from back here in NZ and also in the motherland itself, Samoa.

Sporting achievements:

• Tangaroa College 1st IV (Secondary Schools National Winners 2012)

• Samoa Tag U18s Boys (ITFF Tag World Cup Semi-Finalists 2012)

• Counties Manukau Ambassadors U19s Boys (Tag National Winners 2013)

• Trans-Tasman NZ U19s Boys (Tag Trans-Tasman Series & Team of the Tournament Winners 2013)

**Siosifa To’a | Age: 19 years | Region: Otara

I have been honoured to play under guidance of Coach, Tony Tietie, and Manager Lee Paniani, for just over two years. Reason I always go back to these two is because they are family to me. They both have done things for me both inside and outside the world of Tag. Competing and travelling to Australia for World Cup means a lot to me as an individual player and also my brothers who are the rest of our team, as it will not only be the experience of a lifetime, but also a privilege to represent Samoa at such a level. Being able to participate in this tournament gives us the players and also coaching and management staff the chance to once again take to the floor of World Cup and compete against the best of the best, from all corners of the world.

Sporting Achievements:

• Samoa Tag U19s Boys (ITFF Oceania Tournament Winners 2014)

• Counties Manukau Ambassadors 21s Men’s (NZTFI Tag Nationals 2015)

**Sola Billy Evile | Age: 20 years | Region: Otara

I have played under Tony Tietie & Lee Paniani in both Module and Representative Tag footy. I enjoy playing under the influence of these two amazing people firstly because we are known not as a team, but as family. The amazing brotherhood has helped us go further than we imagined. Their influence has also played a big part in our success with numerous final appearances in Counties Manukau and also a few championships under our belt including NZ Trans-Tasman and Counties 18s Boys. I take pride in my country Samoa and with the Tag World Cup this year in Australia; my goals are set to not only become champions but to have the experience of a lifetime. One to remember for years from now.

Sporting achievements:

• Tangaroa College 1st IV (Secondary Schools National Winners 2012)

• Samoa Tag U21s Men’s (ITFF Tag World Cup Semi-Finalists 2012)

• Counties Manukau U19s Boys (Tag National Winners 2012)

• Trans-Tasman NZ U19s Boys (Tag Trans-Tasman Series/Team of the Tournament Winners 2013)

**Shaquille Ono | Age: 20 years | Region: Otara

Hi, my name is Shaquille, better known as Shak, and I have been given the opportunity to represent Samoa in the U21s Men’s grade for the Tag World Cup 2015, under the guidance of Coach Tony Tietie and manager, Lee Paniani. Personally, I wouldn’t play under the guidance of anyone else. Although I have been brought into Tag by different people and have played under many others, and for that I will always be grateful, I have never come across a duo, that strive to make not only ourselves, but our families proud of what we do and our achievements. They taught us life skills and push us to be the best that we can, not only through the sport that we love to play, but also in our daily lives. We have built a bond and connection that nobody can break. I myself believe that the team we have travelling to Australia for World Cup can win this tournament. We all carry unique skills, have a bond and brotherhood can that can never be broken. With our individual families being our motivation, we have what it takes to bring home the title.

Sporting achievements:

• Auckland Senior A – South Zone Rugby League Rep 2013

• Counties Manukau Ambassadors Open Men’s (NZTFI Tag Nationals Runners Up 2013/2014)

• Otara Rugby League (Sharman Cup Winners 2014)

• Otahuhu Rugby League Senior A (Fox Memorial 2015)