Tonga Women 7's Team for Asia Pacific Tournament [1]
Saturday, October 16, 2010 - 17:57. Updated on Saturday, May 17, 2014 - 18:47.
A Tongan Women's Rugby 7's team is getting ready to represent the country in the IRB Asia Pacific Women 7's Tournament in Malaysia on October 29-31.
Tonga will be competing against seven Pacific and Asian Women's 7's teams, including Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Kazakhstan.
The Sevens tournament follows the revival of women's Rugby in Tonga. Women's Rugby of any kind had not been played for three years when in June 2010 Tonga Rugby Union Authority (TRUA) sought entry into the tournament. Tonga's participation was accepted but at the time no team had been established.
On August 14, TRUA kicked off a Women's Rugby 7 clinic at Pangai Lahi sponsored by Skyes Pumps of Australia with Selena Worsley, a former captain of the Australian women's team, assisting.
In nine weeks a team put together with a majority of young women who had previously played 15 a-side rugby.
TRUA Chairman Bob Tuckey said Women's Sevens is a wonderful sport for young women offering many opportunities.
He hoped that the sport would develop through high schools next year and produce players who will form the basis for a Tonga wide Women's Sevens serious of tournaments and set a foundation to produce skilful athletes to represent Tonga in international level.
The team departs Tonga on October 25 and returns on November 2.
Tonga Women 7's Team
1. Nina 'Alofaki
2. Seini Malungahu
3. Fakaola Malungahu
4. Lesieli Veamatahau
5. Melelua Veamatahau
6. Losa Potaufa
7. 'Ema Potaufa
8. Pesalini Lave
9. Lupe Fisilau
10. 'Isapela Kamoto
11. Sela Va'enuku
12. Lata Veatufuna
Patron, Hon Fanetupouvava'u Tu'ivakano,
Coach, Siua Taumalolo,
Manager, Mark Hojelsen.