Rugby Australia and Tonga Rugby Union have joined forces to support the newly established Tongan U18 Schoolgirls 7s team.
The team travelled to Australia to compete in the Global Youth 7s tournament on the Gold Coast (9-10 December), thanks to the ongoing support from the Australian Government's PacificAus Sports program for women's and girl's rugby in the Pacific.
The Tongan team, known as "the Heilalas," made an impressive debut in the Global Youth 7s tournament, winning two out of their three pool matches and playing with great passion and skill.
They were eventually knocked out in the quarterfinals in a tough match against a strong University of Queensland side.
Tongan team manager Sela Vaenuku praised her team's performance and attitude.
“As a team, we have gained so much experience on and off the field," Vaenuku said.
"Playing in Australia is a great opportunity and pathway for our talented young girls”.
Vaenuku thanked Rugby Australia and the Australian Government for “their incredible support”.
Rugby Australia’s Pacific Partnerships Manager, Dan Millis, who joined the team at the tournament, also spoke highly of the Tongan team.
"The girls were an exceptional team and excellent ambassadors for Tonga; with the right support, these players could have an exciting future in rugby”.
Millis thanked the Tongan community on the Gold Coast for “welcoming the Heilalas with open arms.”
“It was great to see so much support for grassroots and Pacific rugby at the ground," he said.
The Global Youth Sevens is an international U18 boys' and girls' rugby sevens tournament that brings together 24 girls’ and boys' teams across Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, and elsewhere.
The partnership between Rugby Australia and Tonga Rugby Union is an excellent example of how sports can unite people and promote gender equality and social inclusion.
It is hoped that Rugby Australia’s Pacific partnerships through the PacificAus Sports program will continue flourishing in 2024 and beyond and provide more opportunities for Pacific Island nations to showcase their talent on the world stage.
