The Lakapi Samoa Chief Executive Officer Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai officially launched the Junior Lakapi Championship on Wednesday evening at the Lakapi Samoa headquarters.

The CEO told the launching that the World Rugby's strategic plan has been shared and implemented by Lakapi Samoa in its mission to make rugby the global leader in sports. 

"I want to start by saying that World Rugby Strategic plan shared and carried out by Lakapi Samoa is a mission of sharing rugby's ambition to be a global leader in sports where girls have the same equity on and off the field with the boys," he said. 

"It is also our mission to grow the game that rugby offers a pathway to a career in sports at the highest level of the game.

"I now on behalf of the Chair, Board of Directors of Lakapi Samoa declared the School's Lakapi Championship officially open. God bless this event and have a great evening."

Faleomavaega added that the purpose of the tournament is to identify players who will be selected to join the Lakapi Samoa High-Performance Academy and specifically mentioned the U18 and U20 national teams. 

"Whilst the covid-19 pandemic has restricted our programs and events over the past 18 months, we have altered and implemented our programs despite these challenges through the support and commitment from the Ministry of Education, through the Schools Principals Association," he said.

Faleomavaega said he believes there are a lot of great opportunities that rugby has to offer not only for men but the women and in doing so is in line with the Rugby World Cup's strategic plan.

"As I've mentioned there are numerous opportunities and pathways to be a sports boys and girls in rugby as a Manu Samoa or Manu Sina 7s and 15s," he added. 

"Some of the events for both women and men in the HSBC series along with international games to events such as Rugby World Cup 7s and 15s are elite events hosted across the world for players (boys and girls) who aspire to.

"Opportunities that give them a lifetime experience, not only to see the world but also to inspire other boys and girls to be the best they can be."

Faleomavaega also congratulated the young talents who have been selected to participate in this tournament, which is set to run for four weeks at the Apia Park Stadium, starting on Friday the 28th of May.

"I want to congratulate and thank all the representatives selected from 35 schools in Zone A, B, C, and D for this event," he said. 

"Whilst the stats are being dominated by boys or men dominated we have worked really hard to address this imbalance to develop the girls under the GiR (Get into Rugby) and Quick Rip programs which I'm proud to say is growing significantly upwards."

There are four teams for boys called Hurricanes, Barbarians, War-Kings and Pacificators and the girls will have three teams Barbarians, War-Queens and Pacificators.

There are also opportunities to be involved with other aspects of the code according to Faleomavaega who then pointed to technical positions within the team.

"Rugby also offers great opportunities for us all to become match officials, technical roles such as coaching skills, trainers, and administrators," he said. 

"Each is all achievable goal you can teach our young boys and girls who aspire to and absolutely they can. It comes down to hard work and commitment to be the best you can be to say how bad you really wanted it."

The C.E.O also acknowledged those who are behind the Junior Lakapi Championship whom he said made things happen and progressed the growth of the code in Samoa.

"Like any event, Lakapi Samoa could not host this event without our sponsors and partners. We wish to acknowledge Sports of the Australian Government for the partnership, SIFA, Samoa Shipping Corporation, and other sponsors," he said.

"I would especially like to thank all the Schools Principals for your continuous support for allowing and welcoming our staff to your schools in all our area's development programs including this event.

"On that note, I trust that all teachers, officials continue to facilitate and instill in the boys and girls ethical behavior of fair play on and off the field at all times. 

"The responsibility is to for all teachers to help nurture these young talents to boost self-confidence and inspire them to pursue their dreams and excel in the pathway in realizing those dreams."