With the Pacific Games in November, Samoa Touch Incorporated kick-started their two-day National Elite Touch (N.E.T) Championship 2023 at Lakapi Samoa grounds on Friday to recruit national teams that will represent Samoa in Solomon Islands.

The two-day tournament has four franchise teams selected from a mix of local clubs, including overseas players from New Zealand and Australia. The four franchises are Vaea, Nafanua, Tagaloa and Va’atausili, and each franchise has a men’s, women's and mixed category. 

The president of Samoa Touch, Matiu Tuileva Tuileva, told the Samoa Observer that the national tournament is a trial to select the squad for the Pacific Games.

“The end goal is not winning; we hope to field a strong team to represent Samoa in the Pacific Games”, said Matiu.

“Out of this tournament, we will select 28 players - 14 men and 14 women. And then for the mix, we will select seven women and seven men,” added Matiu.

Matiu said after a disruptive three years of the measles outbreak, COVID-19 and political impasse, he is pleased to have the Australian and New Zealand-based players on board in the competition. 

“We have affiliated clubs in New Zealand and Australia, and so we are very happy to have them here today with us”, added Matiu. 

Matiu acknowledged and gave thanks to the outgoing executives Mailata Michael Wulf and Taupau Alex Mikaele for their guidance, support and advice during the competition. 

Leleaga Meredith, captain of the Vaea women’s category, said despite having only three weeks to train and minimal numbers ahead of the N.E.T. Championship, it has been a good and unreal experience for her so far. 

While team member Tino Dean Taina, said she started the tournament nervous but eventually developed her confidence.

“It was nerve-wracking at first, but I’m used to it now,” added Taina.

Both players agreed that it was good to have the international teams back since the last N.E.T. two years ago. 

“The international teams are here as well - there’s Va’atausili - that team has like 14 boys from New Zealand and Australia and six girls from New Zealand and Australia,” added Meredith.

Tagaloa franchise women’s team captain Gabrielle Apelu said that the good thing about the N.E.T championship is that it will not only select players for the Pacific Games but also the Touch World Cup in France next year.

When asked about the vibes around the tournament, Apelu said it wasn’t her first competition but is good to see a lot of new players, which shows the growth of the sport.

“Our team, in particular, is coming on really well, lots of new debutants - they’ve been doing their job, and they’ve actually been doing really well,” added Apelu.

Apelu’s hope for the tournament is for both the men’s and women’s teams to aspire to be selected for the Pacific Games and the World Cup and she has confidence in her teammates to be selected.

“The hope is that as many of our players can achieve that milestone,” added Apelu.