Samoa Observer: An agenda item over the past three years was seconded and passed by the Vaimoso Rugby Club earlier this week. The decision – to move from Apia Union to Apia West. “It is the right time and the right place for our club”, says newly appointed Club Captain, Tuilagi Saipele Esera.
Paramount amongst those reasons were safety and security for Vaimoso players. In 2009, the Apia Union competition saw an ugly fight between Vaimoso and Magiagi resulting in a Board decision to strip Vaimoso of the Frankie Molesi Shield, championship points and impose a $2,000 tala fine.
A decision that didn’t sit well with Vaimoso however, according to Tuilagi the move has nothing to do with any ill-feelings or bitterness. “It’s about regrowing the support for our club around our village base and the Apia West locality provides that for us.
“Our feeder system we used to get players from St Joseph’s and Pesega but lately we’ve noticed their numbers have tapered off because of travelling to Apia Park and the peripherals surrounding the obvious rivalries.”
The major reason for Vaimoso staying with Apia Union in the past was the perception of greater opportunities for its players towards national representation. “That was the intention but for the past few years Vaimos has virtually no players going up the ranks either to the Apia provincial team or Manu Samoa. Worse, we don’t have any at the high performance unit apart from Pesamino Alauni.”
With the possibility of moving to Apia West vocally expressed at the end of 2009, there was marked improvement in players’ atti
tudes and performances. “The renewed attitude was easy to see in our Vaimoso Giants team that played and got to the finals in the League 9s Xmas in the Park tournament last year. Their performance was the Vaimoso team of old.”
The move has received favourable consensus from elders and matais of Vaimoso and was one of the key reasons for cementing the decision. “This has been a village decision and that gave the players the confidence to be able to play as well as contribute effectively to their village responsibilities. They can do their chores and then walk to Marist stadium whereas in the past they’re gone for the whole day at Apia Park.
“Now the decision’s been made we’re confident that there will be a re-invigoration of our village community about our rugby team. It’s something I’m looking forward to, and if we get more players into the HPU or national squads then that’s a bonus for us.”
The Vaimoso President, Leao Akeripa and members of the Executive formally met with Apia Union President Tauloa Lui conveying the decision. “Basically it’s a very amicable severing of ties. They respect our reasons and we thanked them for including us in their tournaments and related activities. It’s been a good relationship but it’s time to move forward with what’s best for our players and village community.”
The position of Club captain is a newly created one for the Vaimoso Club and Tuilagi is looking forward to raising funds and resources that will backstop Vaimoso’s first year campaign at Apia West.
30 January, 2010
