The TMO American Samoa Marist club team will leave next week for Samoa to play in the inaugural pre Independence celebrations international tournament to be staged at Apia Park. More than 15 players and officials will depart with supporters for the three-day occasion that will start on May 29.

“Our participation in this event is made possible by our major sponsor, Frank Gaisoa and his TMO companies. We’re very grateful to Gaisoa for his endless help and generosity in making this trip to Apia possible,” Si’igava’a Tauileave Toluono said.

The Talavalu development team will also play in this tournament. Si’igava’a said he would like to thank the American Samoa Rugby Union chairman, Togiola Tulafono for releasing Marist players (three) from the territorial squad to represent Marist in the Apia competition. There are also reports that the Leone Whites will take part in next week’s competition in Apia.

While in Samoa, Si’igava’a will officially announce the change of dates for his Marist club’s international rugby sevens for next year. The American Samoa Marist club will hold its well-known competition in February of 2015 to coincide with the Apia Marist tournament and not in April, as was the case for the past three years. 

“This will be a back to back event and TMO has again pledged to be the major sponsor for our new year’s international affair,” he added. 

Si’igava’a is the newly elected vice president of the American Samoa Marist club and chairman of the recently proposed Marist Sports Club. Iakopo Meleisea is the club’s new president replacing the long serving executive, Isitolo Wulf.

Siigava’a said the Marist Sports club would be a separate entity but would still be under the umbrella of the main Marist club or mafutaga.

“We have a lot of work to do before the Sports club is up and running on its own. We will have our own budget and will act independently of the Marist mafutaga. But all major decisions will be finalized by the main body.”

Si’igava’a explained that the move to separate the sports club from the main body is in line with Marist international’s organizational charts that has been in place for a long time in established Marist institutions in New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and other parts of the South Pacific.

“So this is not a new thing. We’re just following the Marist protocol. This move is the best vehicle to promote Marist sports in the territory. We only have to look at Marist Sports clubs in Apia, Suva, and Auckland to get the picture of how successful they are in all sports they take part in under such circumstances,” chairman Si’igava’a said.

But if there is one person that has made this dream possible, it is Frank Gaisoa, president of the TMO, according to Si’igava’a. “Gaisoa has been instrument in promoting sports in the territory and all Marist rugby activities through his sponsorship,” Si’igava’a said.

“Gaisoa asked me as to what he could do more to further make rugby known and expand the players knowledge and experience, and I replied the quickest thing was for teams to travel and play top rugby tournaments off island and to be exposed to international events.”

According to chairman Si’igava’a, TMO has stepped in to finance the Apia trip for the Marist team. Gaisoa has also given approval for his TMO companies to be the main sponsor in future Marist endeavors as well as overseas tours. Si’igava’a said plans have been drawn for the Marist team to travel to Fiji, Malaysia, New Zealand and Apia to play in tournaments to be held in these countries in the near future. 

This weekend, Gaisoa and his TMO companies are sponsoring Marist’s golf tournament at the golf course in Ili’ili. ”This is the biggest golf competition for this year; and we thank Gaisoa and TMO for their generosity. 

“There are lots of great prizes offered and plenty of fun on the golf course this weekend, so come and join us and help in the development of rugby and all sports Marist is involved in here in American Samoa,” Si’igava’a said.