Playing a different kind of game

06/24/07 , by Posted by: admin

Tonga loves rugby! It is our national sport and an integral part of our culture. Tongan rugby players are regarded internationally as strong and resilient and can be found in almost every professional league in the world! I recently caught up with Tu'ivaita Ueleni, an old friend and the head coach of Lavengamalie Rugby Club. He has been teaching at the school (Lavengamalie College), and coaching its rugby team for more than 10 years. In 1997, he established the Lavengamalie Rugby Club and has since cultivated a unique sport environment that contributes to the athletic and spiritual development of many young men.

Tu'ivaita (commonly known as Vaita) has a vast knowledge of Tonga rugby. He calls himself an ‘active’ Christian, so I wanted to hear what he has to say about young people in Tonga, reflecting on his experiences as a high school teacher and a rugby coach for many years.

A passion that becomes a ministry

"When I came back from New Zealand after University, my mentor seeing how passionate I am about the game, encouraged me to use rugby as my ministry. So, some friends and I started the Lavengamalie Rugby Team".

Vaita went to Massey University, NZ and while at University he was involved with the Navigators Ministry. "Rugby is my ministry. I suppose it helps when it is my passion too. Coaching is very similar to teaching, that’s why a lot of top coaches are former teachers. I like the fact that it gives me an opportunity to spend time with young people, and more so I get a lot joy when I see young people develop and you feel you are part of their development".

When you talk to Vaita he comes across as a very calm person. He may just be a typical laid back Tongan, but I find his manner effective - he is natural and casual when he shares his Faith. "You know, I find that I earn the kids trust and confidence by being a good coach first and foremost. I have come to realise that is the best way to start – earn their trust. The rest gets a lot easier".

Vaita is a qualified IRB (International Rugby Board) level three coach and probably the only local coach to have such qualifications. He has coached at the national level – national under 18 rugby team, under 19 team, under 21 and has coached the full international rugby team, ‘Ikale Tahi. He is technically savvy as a rugby coach, but knows how to teach all skill levels. In the Lavengamalie rugby club, there are boys from Vava’u, one or two from Ha’apai, four guys from Hoi, some from Ha’ateiho, from Ma’ufanga, and other villages. Three guys have just returned after a few months in New Zealand . There is good diversity amongst the clubs' players and Vaita says that is because the club is connected to an academic environment.

"Lavengamalie College is the main reason really - a lot of our players went to school and stayed on to play for the club after high school. Some of the guys bring friends along too. And we are not like most of the rugby clubs that are village based where players are guys living in that particular village. Neither are we a High School or Old Boys Teams too. We try to remove any barriers that may hinder anyone wanting to play rugby in our team. We welcome anyone and everyone".

Church and rugby

The team is based at the Tokaikolo Fellowship’s campus, and seen as the church’s team. "That’s something crucial for the club. We cannot be separated from the church and we make sure the church is OK with most of the things we do, but on the same sentence the rugby club has the freedom to make its own decisions. The church has a huge influence, but they leave us to make our own decisions". Isn’t it something that can hinder many from joining the club, I asked. Vaita believes it can be, but then he goes back to the very reason why they started the rugby club. "First and foremost, I hope that by playing for the Lavengamalie rugby club, players can somehow get to know Jesus. That’s our ultimate goal, and so everything else is done with that in mind. When I coach I keep that in mind, when the players play, they are constantly reminded of the teams’ principles which are build on Jesus. The church (Tokaikolo) understands and supports that, and plays it role whatever that may be. The church prays for the club, and that’s huge for us!"

A new kind of rugby culture

Vaita went on to explain the fact that, being at the church’s campus makes it easy to create a certain culture for the club. “A club’s culture is very important, and our location makes it so much easier to create the kind of culture that we want in order to achieve our ultimate goal which is – to get to know Jesus as your personal saviour”. As a professional rugby player for almost 14 years, I find this very striking. Every community has a culture and when you join a rugby club you, most of the time, unconsciously adhere to its culture. Rugby has an image of a drinking culture. I know from personal experience it is a massive challenge trying to shake off the ‘drinking culture’ image (because truthfully its not entirely undeserved). So how does Lavengamalie rugby club face up to this?

"Of course it has been hard, because there are young men who need a social outlet. We don’t stop them from having a drink but I believe our task is to encourage them to make the wise choice. We have a “faikava” in my home occassionally, and these guys see it as their social gathering. The faikava also provide an opportunity to have a one-to-one conversation where the guys find more comfortable and ask very personal questions".

Playing for the prize

What about winning silverware and trophies? Isn’t that important? "It’s important we do well and win competitions, but here in Tonga, I find it doesn’t solve real problems. The game in Tonga does not have the money that you guys earn overseas, so the focus and aim becomes something else – to get a contract from a club overseas. And there lies the real challenge. When a player gets an opportunity to go overseas to play leaving all the support and protection he gets here in the club, he finds himself in a world that ask a whole lot of totally different questions. Only one person has all the answers. Jesus is the only one who has all the right answers. The secret to a fulfilled life is getting to know Jesus and following him. Whatever you do in life, be it playing rugby professionally or whatever. In Jesus you know you have faith in someone who will give you the best guidance".

"A massive problem in Tonga now is unemployment. When we started the club 10 years ago, most of our players were either students or had jobs, but not so now. Almost all our first team at present do not have jobs or do not work. That is a fair reflection of the current problem young people face in Tonga these days. What do you do? Like I’ve already said, I am a rugby coach and I believe these young men need to have hope. They need to know that despite all the mess and the political uncertainty, despite the rise in unemployment, and whatever their struggles. Despite all those many challenges they face, they are going to be OK. They are going to be OK if they hang their hope on Jesus. That is so because Jesus promises us things that last".

After talking to Vaita, I feel hopeful for young Tongans. I am constantly asked about rugby and what it can do for people financially but it is refreshing to see and hear someone who knows it can be used for spiritual gain.

Tu'ivaita has an MSc in Physics from Massey University, NZ. He is from Felemea, Ha’apai and went to Tonga High School. He teaches in Lavengamalie College, lives in Tofoa and loves "’ota-ika".

If you want to be part of Lavengamalie Rugby Club - playing, supporting or help; you can find them at the Tokaikolo Fellowship Campus, Tofoa. Or contact Vaita:

Tel: (+676) 17 922

E-mail; t_ueleni@yahoo.com

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Add A Comment

• April 20, 2010, 3:54 am - sokisoki

  haueeee manu sexc mo'oni lmfao

• July 5, 2007, 10:59 pm - Naki Misa

  Thoroughly enjoyed the article, and it is indeed inspirational to hear and read of positive and relevant initiatives that would naturally encourage our young to venture into something worthwhile.

  It's also very touching to read of pioneers such as Vaita, he's a man worth encouraging and supporting given what he's currently doing for our young people in Tonga. I also would like to commend him on living out his christian faith in the rugby arena and more importantly sharing his faith in a connective and meaningful way with the young people of Tonga.

  Malo Ti for the article and hope to read more.