Super Hurricanes touch down in Samoa
RUGBY STARS HERE: Among the stars who arrived in Samoa this morning are David Smith, Victor Vito and former All Blacks Piri Weepu and John Schwalger. They are pictured here wearing special t-shirts dedicated to the tsunami victims.
Samoan rugby stars Victor Vito and David Smith are among a group of players from the Wellington Hurricanes who landed in Apia this morning.
Some of the biggest names in world rugby Piri Weepu, Robert Fruean, Anthony Perenise, John Schwalger are others we’ll be seeing around Samoa over the next seven days.
Even their mentor, a name that still conjures fear in rugby backlines, Alama Ieremia, is with the players.
The trip though is not a holiday. It’s a mission and a campaign that was planned before the tsunami of 9 September.
“Although the campaign against domestic violence tour was organized before the tsunami, all players agreed to keep the schedule and come to Samoa as planned and to add a tsunami relief part,” said Media spokesperson for the group, NZ Police’s Ms Jane Archibald.
“That’s what we’ve done and is reflected on our seven day Upolu and Savaii programme.”
Arriving ahead of the players is Hurricanes Professional Development Manager, Steve Symonds. He outlined the importance of this type of work in the overall development of professional players by the Wellington franchise. “This is part of the personal growth outside the game we provide our players. For this trip we’re focused on three things,” he said.
“Firstly to assist NZ Police attachment to the Samoa Domestic Violence Unit, Karen Smith, in raising awareness that domestic violence is a criminal offence. Secondly we want to bring ‘some cheer and fun’ to the children of Lalomanu affected by the tsunami. Neemia Tialata and a few of the players have families there. And thirdly, a chance to play some rugby.”
In preparation for the tour, players worked with advisors in New Zealand to know and become familiar with the topic and issue that is domestic violence. They have had sessions to be educated about what it is, how to treat it and identifying symptoms, said Ms Archibald.
“For the players on this tour, it’s about giving and about growing,” added Mr Symonds.
Karen Smith said NZ’s work with Samoa’s Domestic Violence Unit started in 2006. “Our work is to provide tools and mechanisms to do the work. That means transferring the skills and knowledge through training to Inspector Sina Enoka Tafua and her seven staff on how to record and report domestic violence cases effectively.”
One of the key outputs of the Unit’s work is the establishment of a database. “In 2006 there was no system. Now we have records in 2007 of 140 cases. In 2008 there were 500 cases and to August 2009, we’ve logged over 800 cases. So that’s progress and the work since 2006 by Samoa Police unit is the leading light in the Pacific in this area”, concluded Ms Smith.
The work is in phases. First phase was to establish a reporting system for Samoa Police and increase human resources capabilities, which according to Karen is virtually done. The second phase is to raise community awareness and that involves working with NGOs (Mapusaga o Aiga, Samoa Victim Support and Faataua Le Ola) and campaign partners such as in this case, the Wellington Hurricanes and NZ Police. Other elements of the work include enacting appropriate legislation which is currently in the drafting system. “Future areas that will need to be looked into includes anger management and counseling”, says Ms Smith.
The tsunami element of the tour is a Wellington players initiative instigated by Neemia Tialata and Piri Weepu. Neemia designed a t-shirt (worn by players in the photo) to sell with proceeds towards the tsunami relief. The Wellington franchise entered the spirit of giving by allocating for auction a one-off ‘white-strip’ that the Wellington Lions played with against the Manawatu Turbos. The NZ Rugby Union has given Wellington the green-light to auction the jerseys with proceeds going to the tsunami relief efforts.
“We want to bring cheers and warmth to the children affected”, says Mr Symonds. “We will be at the Lalomanu Primary School on Wednesday, 18 November where we have fun and rugby activities including some give-aways. It’s our contribution to the help soften the pain of your nation from where many of Wellington’s players come.”
For all activities, the public has been encouraged to come and participate says Ms Jane Archibald. “We want anyone who wants to join in the activities to come along. The players are looking forward to making themselves available as much as possible. They’re getting from the occasion just as much, if not more than the Samoa community.”
The tour takes in both Upolu and Savaii, a broad schedule is outlined.
Mon, 16 Nov: 1 pm - Fasitoo Primary School
Tues, 17 Nov: 2:30pm - Apia Park – Activities for public
Wed, 18 Nov: 10am - Lalomanu Primary School
Thur, 19 Nov: 8 am Lady Samoa II to Salelologa
Thur, 19 Nov: 11am Prince Edward Park
Thur, 19 Nov: 3pm Salailua Village
Fri, 20 Nov: 12pm Leave Salelologa