Upskilling Samoan rugby players for life after sports is the goal behind a partnership agreement signed on Wednesday between the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (A.P.T.C.) and Lakapi Samoa.

The agreement was signed at the Lava Hotel with Australia's Deputy High Commissioner to Samoa, Clair McGeechan, the Minister of Education, Seuula Ioane, and the Chairman of the Lakapi Samoa Board, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi as well as Lakapi Samoa C.E.O. Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i and the A.P.T.C. Country Director (Tonga and Samoa), Lagaaia Leali'ifano Easter Silipa in attendance. 

Addressing the gathering on Wednesday on behalf of the Government, the Minister for Education, Sports, and Culture emphasised the importance of the partnership which will lead to the country's national rugby players getting trained in certain skills to prepare them for life after rugby. 

He said the new partnership will help enhance the skills and knowledge of Lakapi Samoa officers and enable young men and women in their High-Performance Unit to upskill themselves through high-quality, accessible, and relevant training programs run by the A.P.T.C.

"This new partnership represents a significant milestone in our efforts to promote sports development and educational opportunities in Samoa," Seuula said. "As you all know, Lakapi Samoa is the national sport organisation committed to leading and encouraging rugby in Samoa. 

"No doubt, rugby holds a special place in our hearts and is deeply woven into the fabric of our culture and traditions. It showcases the strength, resilience, and unity of our people. 

"We are extremely pleased that this new partnership between Lakapi Samoa and A.P.T.C. will help us to preserve and celebrate our rich sporting heritage while developing the skills of Lakapi Samoa personnel and players to compete and excel on the international stage."

Rugby players who are part of Lakapi Samoa's High-Performance Unit will be the beneficiaries of the agreement, according to the C.E.O. Faleomavaega.

"This will assist all the kids that come through the High-Performance academy not only in terms of rugby but also in terms of skills so that when they are finished with sports, they can be able to find jobs for themselves," said the Lakapi Samoa C.E.O. "The important thing for us is that this opportunity is not taken lightly by the union. 

"This program provides a lot of pathways because not every kid that comes through the academy makes it to Manu Samoa or gets a contract to go overseas. 

"But hopefully, when they leave the academy, they would gain something from this new undertaken and be able to utilise those skills to create employment opportunities and become better people in the future and contribute to our country in many ways.

"We are glad to work together with A.P.T.C. in implementing this programme and they are very keen to come up to the standards we have at the academy and offer courses not only for our players but also for our staff."

According to the agreement signed on Wednesday, a total of AUD$72,058 (SAT$131,228) is expected to be spent on implementing the program with contributions from both parties. The A.P.T.C. will contribute AUD$6,600 while Lakapi Samoa will give (in-kind) AUD$29,754 for the timeframe July 23 to March 25, 2025. 

For G.E.D.S.I. and T.V.E.T. Advocacy A.P.T.C. will contribute AUD$15,000 while Lakapi Samoa provide an in-kind contribution, administration and logistics. For the mentoring of trainers, AUD$4,000 will come from A.P.T.C. and AUD$7,084 from Lakapi Samoa. 

As for Partnership meetings and MEL activities, AUD$10,075 will be contributed by A.P.T.C. while Lakapi Samoa (in-kind contribution, administration, and logistics. 

Chairman of Lakapi Samoa, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, and Australia's Deputy High Commissioner signed the agreement on behalf of the two parties.