Ulalei debuts at Pasifika tourney

The Ulalei Sports Club entered the Pasifika Family Touch Festival for the first time this year.

Ulalei’s team was also unbeaten in the tournament, played at Hutt Park on 18 February – not that results are what the tournament kaupapa is all about.

The kaupapa is about getting the whole wh nau involved and the young ones off their devices.

One of 42 teams in the tournament, Ulalei won four of its matches and drew one.

Teams from around the lower North Island, including one from as far north as Levin, attended the touch festival.

As well as Ulalei the Wainuiomata teams included Wainuiomata Samoa Rugby League, Church of the Nazarene and Jittabugz.

The tournament was not able to be played last year because of Covid-19, so this year’s event was the eighth.

Run by the Pacific Health Service Hutt Valley, the kaupapa of the tournament is about “celebrating our Pasifika community, bringing aiga together, promoting healthy lifestyles and quality time together.”

To that end, Hutt Park was a smokefree, junk food and fizzy drink-free zone for the day.

A team must also include one player who is under 12 years, a 40+ year old and two females, covering off the wh nau and all-inclusive element.

Ulalei was represented by the Fatialofa aiga which has been part of the club since its inception in 1995. The club plans to enter a side for as long as the tournament continues to run. Ulalei acknowledges the fantastic and continued support from One Foundation.