Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation received a donation of rugby sports equipment valued at over $5,000.

This is to assist in the launch of the Foeoletini Foundation's rugby youth development program in the territory.

A press release states that this initiative aims to create new outreach and community service opportunities for the Foundation's core mission of making American Samoa drug-free.  

“Monique Solofa, who has worked with the American Samoa Talavalu 7s team and the local American Samoa Rugby Union, has teamed up with other community partners both on island and abroad to provide youth rugby equipment for the Foeoletini Foundation.

They are as follows, the Mark-Jason Solofa Family; Lofi Fuatogi of the Las Vegas Rugby Club and the Las Vegas Rugby Academy; Mose (USA Eagles Rugby Team Player/Coach) and Kristin Timoteo; Kristin Benish and Family, and Margaret Carruthers”

In the statement Solofa pointed out the pathway to the world 7s is shorter for American Samoa, and our island has traveled to Hong Kong and the Gold Coast 7s to compete in the past.

“This work is so important, and we are all excited that the Foeoletini Foundation will be helping to take rugby to the next level.

“I want to thank Trude, Fiafia, their team, and the rest of the Foundation for all the work you do in the community. We ask the community to come out and support this endeavor.”

Eki Manuma, the Foeoletini Foundation Athletic Coordinator said the foundation provides athletic programs for the youth so they can take advantage of the opportunity to learn teamwork, discipline, and fellowship with one another.

“These skills will be transferable off the field and throughout their lives. "Over 600 youth have registered for our Eastside Little League Baseball program for the last three years, and baseball is wrapping up this season. Now we are moving into rugby."

The foundation’s Executive Director Mrs. Trude Ledoux-Sunia on behalf of the board, thanked Solofa and friends, as well as our stakeholders and partners locally and abroad, as the Foundation finds more innovative ways to keep the youth involved.

The Foeoletini Foundation rugby youth development initiative is funded 100% by private donors, and the Foundation continues to seek federal assistance diligently to maintain and expand this service. The Foeoletini Foundation focuses on providing services and resources to families impacted by substance use disorder, victims of substance abuse, and recovery.