Pasifika youth get a chance to rub shoulders with NFL and Rugby greats at sports combine.
The Polyneisan Football Hall of Fame and Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame recently collaborated to merge a one-day skills and drills training session for pasifika youth.
The program drew in just under 200 pasifika youth to Eden Park all eager to upskill and to enjoy the experience.
Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame board member Pita Alatini says the collaboration between the two sports had been in the works for some time.
“The partnership has officially been over probably the last year but it’s been three years, four years in the making with Jerome Mika, Jesse Sapolu and Mark Tanuvasa and Savea Sir Michael (Jones); all coming together to work off each other with both codes in terms of gridiron and rugby,” Alatini says.
“What we’re trying to get out of our event is one, getting the kids to have a bit of fun with the different schools involved in both games but probably, secondly, talk to the kids about the opportunities that do arise from both rugby and American football.”
Also present at the training session was NFL and New England Patriots wide receiver Juju Smith Schuster, who also ran drills for those in attendance. And he was awed to be in Aotearoa at the home of rugby.
“It’s huge man. You know being able to make time to come out here, and to make football and rugby come together and to show the kids how important it is,” he says.
“You know myself I grew up playing both sports so i know what its like to take it to the next level.”
While the 27-year-old was happy to show his gridiron skills, he also had a message for the youth who attended.
“I mean one of the biggest things I say is that the work you put in is the work you get out.
“Having the opportunity to be here with some legends to showcase and have these guys come out here and show their talent.”
Alatini added that having Juju present was “really important” for many of the youth.
“To have Juju Schuster here as a star to advocate what they do and I suppose talk through to the youth on what that looks like and what work is required but also the opportunity these kids can get from pursuing these sports.
“So it’s huge on the impact it can have on our kids and for us, it’s just a huge support line.”
Moving forward it is hoped that both parties can develop their relationship in the future for more programs involving Pasifika youth.
“We’re hoping by having these combines, we’re able to seek the opportunities that’s required and then really act on it as we start to build that partnership into something special,” Alatini says.
“So, quite exciting that we do have a platform for our Pasifika youth and people. So we’re just looking forward to what’s coming ahead.”
As for Juju, he hopes to also deliver the same initiatives in the islands, and build on the talent provided there.
“We’re going to go to Samoa next and after Samoa we’re gonna go to Australia and after Australia we’re going to be hitting all the other islands and hit all the other brothers and be able to give back.”
