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Ulalei celebrates diversity
event, Luke entered the Vic Club Series. Following the cancellation of round one, rounds two, three and four will be run at the Manfeild Circuit on 26 March, 23 April and 20 May.
Wainuiomata’s first XI cricket team also saw its 28 January match abandoned. They were scheduled to play Naenae at Naenae Park.
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In what has been an unusually wet cricket season, last Saturday saw Wainuiomata’s scheduled game abandoned for the fifth time in 10 rounds.
Playing in division two of the Wellington cricket competition, Wainuiomata scored their first win of the season when they defeated Petone-Riverside by 65 runs on 21 and 22 January.
Although the Ulalei Sports Club’s origins are firmly in Samoa, the club is celebrating its diversity this season.
The Pacific Islands have always been well represented in Ulalei’s touch and tag football teams and this season include players of Tongan and Niuean heritage.
Maori and palagi also have a good presence again this season and this summer the club boasts wh nau with origins from Laos and Hungary in the Chanhsamone and Hajdu families respectively.
“While we are very proud of our club’s Samoan origins, we are just as proud that the make-up of our teams continues to reflect the community we live in,” says the club’s patron, Fauono Ken Laban.
“That adds a special richness to our Ulalei iga (family).”
The age range of the Ulalei teams this season is again very wide with players from 5 years to 70+ years and the playing roster includes four grandfathers and more than 20 parents. As the club’s five Tag Football teams prepare for the resumption of the Ng Hau e Wh Tag Football competition next month, the Ulalei women’s team will be in action on Saturday 4 February at the annual Rhino Touch Women’s tournament at William Jones Park.
Ulalei’s first game is at 10:40am. Ulalei acknowledges the fantastic support it has received this season from One Foundation, Des Smith real estate agent, Tu Manawa (Nuku Ora), Royal Wolf, Master Upholstery Experts, Wainui Joinery, Harrisons and Fonterra.
