Ground-breaking for Tonga Rugby Union’s new training facility

TRU training facility ground-breaking ceremony, group photo. Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 3 March 2025. Photo: Matangi Tonga.

By Tupou Vaipulu Jr

Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) began construction of their first training facility, with a ground-breaking ceremony at Fasi, Nuku'alofa, yesterday.

TRU CEO, Mr. ‘Aisea Aholelei, said, “This is truly a great day for Tonga Rugby –this is the first ever training facility that’ll be owned and controlled by Tonga Rugby Union,” he said. “This is a small step in what we need to succeed but a giant leap in the right direction for our game.”

‘Aisea said that this project would not have been possible without the help of the Government of Japan and the Japanese Ambassador to Tonga, HE Mr. Inagaki Hisao.

Ambassador Hisao hoped that many of the young players who will train in this facility would be in the ‘Ikale Tahi (Tonga) or play for the Brave Blossoms (Japan) in the future.

The project is funded by the Japanese Government with $143,400 (USD), under the Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP), signed on 17 January 2025.

The completion date of this project has not been confirmed.

HE Mr. Inagaki Hisao ground breaking new training facility for TRU in Fasi. Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 3 March 2025. Photo: Matangi Tonga.

Training Facility/Gym Building under construction for Tonga Rugby Union in Fasi. Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 3 March 2025. Photo: Matangi Tonga.