This year the village of Apia celebrates 100 years since the sport of rugby was introduced to them and started in a ground in front of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa after an unassuming incident at the Apia waterfront. 

The village and the Apia Maroons Rugby Club comprising of current and old players gathered at the CCCS church on Sunday in celebration of this milestone and to celebrate the club's new logo.

Deputy Head of State, Le Mamea Ropati who is a member of the club was given the honour to declare the commemoration open stressing that it will be attended by over 40,000 people.

"2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the game of rugby in Apia Village. It is now 201 years since William Webb Ellis took the ball in his arms and ran with it and invented a new game," he said.

"Before this date, the sport was played much like Australian Rules Football is today. 

"Throughout 2023/4, Apia Rugby along with the rugby world will be celebrating these anniversaries. We will be welcoming teams from New Zealand, Australia and American Samoa from a range of backgrounds and abilities to compete during our revived King of Rugby tournament in August.

"The campaign to mark the event started on Sunday with the launch of the Apia Maroons Rugby Club Logo Rugby for Apia village started at an early stage when trading steam boats such as the Tofua and others frequented the Apia shores.

"History says that The Tofua anchored at the Matautu wharf sometime in January or February 1924 and a sailor onboard the boat kicked a rugby hall which landed on the Black Sand Beach opposite the EFKS Taimane o le asalaolao Church in Apia.

"The significance of the kick and the ball landing on the Black Sand Beach opened doors of opportunities for the future of the village in rugby.

"It became a landmark for rugby matches for the Apia Aumaga and today, the younger generations of the village continue to uphold the legacy of the Black Sand Beach, dubbed as the first rugby field for the Apia Maroon Club.

"Since then, the Apia Maroons has excelled in competition and have made a mark in the history of Samoa rugby."

The 100th anniversary is dedicated to the village elders who took the ball kicked from onboard a boat to a different level and the initiative to start the Apia Maroon Rugby Club. 

Part of the celebrations will include piecing together a comprehensive history of the game in Apia and documenting its journey to date.