Tongan women in American Football World Cup [1]
Friday, May 5, 2017 - 18:14. Updated on Monday, May 8, 2017 - 17:18.
American Football is attracting Tongan Women in Australia. This coming June, four women of Tongan descent will represent Australia at the 2017 American Football Wold Cup (IFAF World Championship) in Canada.
The four are Veitolose Tomasi, Ayla Cook, Analiliani Toutaiolepo and Pier Pritchard, all of whom will make history as being the first players of Tongan descent to represent Australia at the World Cup.
Australian born and raised Veitolose Tomasi (29) from Cabramatta West in New South Wales, only started playing Gridiron last year. Veitolose is the daughter of Fiusati Tomasi, a member of the 1986 ‘Ikale Tahi team.
“I love the whole game from the aggression, to the friendships you build, amazing people you get to meet”, said Veitolose.
“The biggest thing for me now is being able to represent my country – definitely overwhelmed and surprised but extremely blessed that I have been chosen to represent my country” she added.
In recent years, more and more Pacific Islander athletes have been exported from Australia and New Zealand to play Gridiron in the United States, athletes such as Jarryd Hayne, Daniel Faalele, Paul Lasike and Tonga’s very own Moetikiai Langi.
Veitolose believes that more Australian-Tongans would get into American Football once the sport gets greater exposure.
“Not that many Tongans yet but this sport has only been around for seven years in NSW. A lot more Tongans will start getting into the sport as soon as they see more exposure to Gridiron in Australia”
The 2017 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women's World Championship will take place in Vancouver, Canada this June. Six teams will compete in the Women's World Cup including USA, Great Britain, Mexico, Finland, Canada and Australia. With a growing pool of Tongan Gridiron players available, perhaps one day Tonga may prove to be force in the global stage of American Football.