Lakapi Samoa has appointed Mataafa Ramsey Tomokino as the General Manager of High Performance.

Lakapi Samoa said in a statement that Tomokino is set to take the lead in driving Lakapi Samoa’s vision to elevate the performance of our athletes on both national and international stages.

In his new role, Mataafa Ramsey Tomokino will oversee the management, and enhancement of Lakapi Samoa’s high-performance programs. He will work closely with athletes, coaches, and support staff to ensure that all performance pathways are optimized to deliver the best possible outcomes. His leadership is poised to play a crucial role in achieving Lakapi Samoa’s long-term goals.

Mataafa Ramsey Tomokino said he was extremely humbled to be selected by the CEO and Lakapi Samoa board for this appointment.

“There are new exciting changes afoot within Lakapi Samoa and looking forward to how as a Union we collectively grow and build our brand that is uniquely Samoa Rugby and to continue to enhance and elevate Samoa Rugby to where we know it can be, to be dominant in our region and to be a force on the International stages in both the men's and women's spaces," he said.

"We have some exciting milestones in place for this year, Women's Rugby World Cup, Men's World Cup Qualification, Men's 7s circuit qualifiers as well as Under 20s rugby. I look forward to being part of the process that allows our Rugby to flourish, build and foster our elite pathways to successful life-changing futures in rugby for our players and those involved in the game from coaching to administrative levels and continue to build on this year on year".

"Stepping down from coaching post this year's Women's Rugby World Cup, with a focus on being part of the machinery in the background to find, build and nurture our talent is a task that excites and motivates me as without a doubt we have athletes that are potential to be world-class and we are seeing this with homegrown players like Miracle Fai'ilgi and current Manu Samoa captain Theodore McFarland just to name a few"

Lakapi Samoa Chief Executive Officer, Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun Mataafa brings with him over 18 years of experience in high performance rugby, with a proven track record across domestic and international levels.

“His leadership comes at a pivotal time for Lakapi Samoa as we prepare for a defining year in 2025,” he said.

“With the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the Men’s Rugby World Cup Qualifiers, our Sevens team aiming to reclaim its place in the HSBC World Series, and the revival of our Under 20 program as it strives to break into the Tier 1 level of world rugby, Mataafa’s role will be crucial in shaping and supporting these campaigns. We are confident that his experience, strategic mindset, and passion for development will strengthen our pathways and performance across all levels of the game."