New rugby partnership between Tonga and Bay of Plenty ^Featured

The partnership will allow Tongan rugby players to travel to the region and participate in a structured and organised rugby program that will include education and player welfare.

Tonga produces world-class players that represent teams in every major playing nation, but Tonga Rugby Union CEO Peter Harding says one of their biggest challenges is losing track of its national talent abroad.

He hopes the partnership will help to amend this.

“What this partnership will do for us and Bay Rugby is for both organisations to track the progress of Tongan players and to keep in contact with players and look after their welfare,” says Peter.

“So one day, if they do become good enough, eventually, hopefully, they play for ‘Ikale Tahi and come home.”

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO Mike Rogers says he speaks on behalf of the organisation when he says he is excited about the new partnership with their Pacific Island neighbours.

“Bay Rugby is looking forward to helping develop Tongan players in the Bay of Plenty,” says Mike.

“We’ve had a long association with Tongan players contributing to our rugby clubs, and this is a way that we can support Tonga in developing their performance environment by growing their players in a performance environment in New Zealand.”

The Bay of Plenty has a large Tongan community, of which rugby is a proud part of their cultural identity. The partnership has, as a consequence, garnered support from Rotorua Lakes Council.

“One of our priorities as a city is to ensure that our Rugby Union and our clubs are strong,” says Rotorua Lakes Council sports and events Manager Steve Watene.

“If we can create new pathways in partnership with the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, and ensure that those pathways enable more people to become more involved in rugby, then we are all winners.”

In conjunction with rugby, the new partnership also looks to incentivise education and employment opportunities for Tongan players through Bay Rugby initiatives, including tertiary educational programs like Cert4Rugby and employment opportunities through Bayland Recruitment.

“Part of the partnership with Tonga Rugby will be our Union helping the Tongan players and their families into further education and employment opportunities,” adds Mike.

“We have some fantastic industries in the Bay that we work with to ensure that we support not only the players but their families, and give them opportunities in New Zealand.

“I believe if we can help players in the key areas of their work careers, education and life skills, the rugby will look after itself.

“Thank you to Tonga Rugby, and we are looking forward to adding value to Pacific Island rugby.”

- SunLive