Tonga’s own Toa Saracens partners with pros [1]
Wednesday, August 7, 2013 - 18:12. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
One of Britain’s top professional rugby clubs, North London’s Saracens FC have formed a partnership with Tonga’s very own Toa Saracens RFC, and will help support the local club with a Rugby Academy.
The partnership means that Toa Saracens RFC will be part of a global network of clubs that share playing, coaching and community resources with the London Saracens.
As part of the agreement, the two clubs have established the “Toa Saracens Academy”, where young Tongans from the age of 14 will be granted educational bursaries and benefits from expert rugby, dietary and conditioning advice.
According to the Chairman of the London Saracens, Nigel Wray the partnership aims to help young Tongans.
“The idea of this equal partnership and of the Toa Saracens Academy is to create genuine opportunities for young people in Tonga, in life as in rugby”.
“Tonga is a very special place. This group of Pacific islands is passionate about rugby, and a population of only 104,000 has produced more than 140 people playing some form of professional rugby around the world, notably Mako and Billy Vunipola.”
The CEO of Toa Saracens, Viliami Ma‘ake was pleased with the opportunities.
“I see the partnership between the Saracens and Toa as a huge incentive particularly for young and talented rugby players in Tonga, who through the cooperative arrangements between Saracens, Toa Saracens and the Toa Saracens Academy will have access to professional coaching and proven development programmes provided under the Saracens brand.”
“We at Toa Saracens are thrilled by the prospects that will be created as a result of the partnership, which will definitely benefit both parties and related stakeholders.”
Two Tongans currently play for the Saracens. They are brothers Mako and Billy Vunipola, both of whom have represented England. Mako also recently played for the British & Irish Lions this year in Australia. Mako and Billy are the children of the ‘Ikale Tahi legend, Feao Vunipola who captained Tonga during the 1999 Rugby World Cup.