Non-profit entity Yazaki Kizuna Foundation (Y.K.F.) has stepped forward to support a programme run by Lakapi Samoa that will enable young Samoan rugby players to maximise their physical capabilities and skills.

The partnership was announced on Wednesday in a statement issued by the game’s governing body in Samoa with the foundation now the official sponsor of the Lakapi Samoa High Performance Academy for 2021-2023.

Lakapi Samoa C.E.O. Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai said they are delighted and grateful for the partnership with Y.K.F. as the organisation through its support confirms that they share the same vision.

“To compete with bigger and better resourced unions, the partnership with Yazaki Kizuna Foundation will assist Lakapi Samoa immensely in our high performance programme in preparing future international players,” said Faleomavaega.

Y.K.F. President Michiyo Hamada said they are happy with the partnership.

“We hope that our grants will help young Samoan rugby players realise their dreams for the future,” she said. 

The objective of the grants disbursed by the Y.K.F. is to contribute to the development of human resources and create job opportunities in Samoa, which Ms Hamada said will be achieved through the foundation’s support for the Lakapi Samoa programme.

The Lakapi Samoa management expressed similar sentiments, saying in its statement that the goals of their academy meets the foundation’s requirements, to create job opportunities and spur economic activities in Samoa.

“Together, Lakapi Samoa and Yazaki Kizuna Foundation are looking forward to this mutually beneficial partnership, which brings with it a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the Lakapi Samoa High Performance Academy, which provides our local rugby players with a high performance environment throughout the year in order to progressively  move into the professional level of rugby.

“With increased growth and interest globally in rugby, the demand for highly skilled rugby players is increasing and our Lakapi Samoa High Performance is looking at taking this opportunity, and providing our local rugby players with the resources and training in order to qualify for professional rugby contracts overseas at prestigious rugby clubs/franchises that can provide our rugby players with a well-paying rugby career in a high performance rugby environment.”

The Y.K.F. is a non-profit general incorporated foundation that exists under the laws of Japan and was established by Yazaki Corporation in 2018.