Contribution of Our Forefathers

Without doubt the founders of Wellington Samoan Rugby Union Inc (WSRU) in the 1970s were guided by the well known Samoan principle of ‘Saili malo’ which translates to ‘Search to win.’

Through courageous determination, they planted the seed, which has borne the fruits that are the achievements and victories we celebrate today.

They envisioned a Samoan union as a way to represent our community and to make an organised contribution to the overall Wellington rugby scene.

Because they had played the game themselves, they recognised that rugby is a fun, healthy way to instil discipline, character and a host of other qualities in our youth – and they recognised that a union of our own would provide a culturally-friendly environment so that our young players could be more comfortable in the sport and give them another reason to keep playing it.

To gain selection to the Wellington Samoans side is now a notable achievement in itself.

But if our players aspire to excel further Wellington Samoans provides an additional opportunity to nurture their talent and a launching pad in their quest for higher honours.

The founders of the Wellington Samoan Rugby Union saw all this as they looked into the future and considered what would benefit our youth in their journey through life.

It was the vision of a father who loves his children and his community.

We are extremely indebted to the founding fathers of our union for their sheer hard work which has created a quality platform to pursue the ‘saili malo’ philosophy.

Fa’afetai, and fa’amalo tauata’i.

One of the current patrons of the union was a founding member of the union, Tiatia Ieti Tiatia, who together with his colleagues strove fearlessly for our union to be recognised within the Wellington Rugby Football Union.

Just recently a middle-aged man said that as a troubled youth he was picked to play for Wellington Samoans much to his surprise, and the experience of playing with players of the same heritage, sharing their camaraderie and being disciplined by the older ones, one of them a Manu Samoa, allowed him to see the value of his Samoan heritage and reconnect with it.

It was Tiatia who had selected him to the side in the 1980s during the early days of the union.

“I don’t think Tiatia knows what he did for me,” he said.

His is a story of gratefulness for the work of the founders in creating a union and a team which gave him pride and experience of the unselfishness, humility, respect and other qualities which our culture values and upholds.

We acknowledge the contribution of all our founding fathers and brothers some of whom still lend keen support. They include Seti Fiti, Steve Meredith, Fauono Ken Laban (Executive Advisor), Toomata Frank Collins (current President), Lemusu Aiulu (life member), Misa Silupe Misa (life member), Namulauulu Alama Ieremia (Executive Advisor).

We acknowledge the Samoan church leaders, the Samoa community, the wider Pacific community for their contribution in supporting the initiatives and developments of our union.
We remember with respect those of them who have passed on and acknowledge their contribution.

We welcome the challenges of the professional era and the need to stay focussed on our ‘saili malo’ principle because there are achievements and victories that we should strive for.

The committee now builds a fale on the foundation our forefathers laid.

Faafetai

Tunumafono Ken Ah Kuoi
Chairman

 

Foundation Members

Foundation Executive Of WSRU – 1970

  • The Founder:      Ieti Fale TIATIA.
  • First President:  Seti FITI.
  • First Secretary:  Tino MELEISEA.
  • First Treasurer:  Max YOUNG.
  • First Coach:         Iona Alex IONA
  • First Captain:      Ieti Fale TIATIA.

Foundation Member Of WSRU

  • Seti FITI,
  • Tino MELEISEA,
  • Ieti Fale TIATIA,
  • Max YOUNG,
  • Fiti FITI,
  • Te’o FA’ASAU,
  • Fuimaono Ativalu FUIMAONO,
  • Iona Alex IONA,
  •  Lemusu Feleti AI’ULU.
  • Taeao AUAPA’AU,
  • Mulipola Lipano TIATIA,
  • Haroseta EKEROMA,
  • Kofe KOKO,
  • Tiatia Tagaloa TIATIA,
  • Sogimaletavai Togisala TAVAI,
  • Misa Silupe MISA,
  • Laki LIUA,
  • Tiatia Sugia TIATIA,

Life Members

  • Seti FITI,
  • Tiatia Ieti Fale TIATIA,
  • Rev Ma’afala KOKO
  • Misa Silupe SAKA,
  • Lemusu Feleti AI’ULU,
  • Haroseta EKEROMA,
  • Vui Kelemete VITALE,
  • Tui Peti TUI,
  • Leota Fa’apoi MU,
  • John GAVIN.