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This week the Marist Sports Club in Apia is celebrating its 45th anniversary.
The Club came into existence when the two Marist clubs, namely Marist Rugby Club and St Joseph’s Rugby Club, decided to merge in 1970.
Following its merger, the Club has contributed to the development of rugby in Sāmoa through the many players who have gone on to play for Manu Sāmoa and in the Club’s annual Vailima Marist International Sevens Rugby Tournament which it has successfully hosted for 27 years now.
Players who attended Marist schools in Sāmoa who went on to play for the All Blacks include John Schuster, Sosene Anesi and most recently Nepo Laulala.
Inaugural players included the likes of Felise Vito, Aki Ripley, Iafeta Ekeroma, Ioane Sinuki Melei, George Meredith, Jimmy Fruean, Ricky McFall, Peter Schuster, Lino Passi, Norman McDonald, Rudy David, Gordan Bartley, Steve Stanley, Herbert Clarke (Manager), Petelo Lepou, Eneliko Ah Voo, Jeffrey Atoa, George Stowers, Henry Penn, Maligi Sefo and Maluelue Tafua. Most of them later represented Sāmoa in the international arena of rugby.
Other well-known players include Brian Lima, Toleafoa brothers (Leamy, Kalolo, Aleki and Michael), David Lemi, Peter Fatialofa, Etuale Sefo, Malaki Iupeli, Sila Vaifale, Lio Falaniko, Afato Sooalo, George Stowers, Tuilagi brothers (Feleti, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea and Vavae), Langkilde twins (Lalovi and Laulala), Kapisi brothers (Ene and Paniani), Palamo brothers (Mefi, Toetu, Arona and Nikotemo), Ulia Ulia, Henry Williams, Afa Aiono, Ofisa Treviranus, Uale Ma’i, Faatoina Autagavaia and Maurie Faasavalu amongst others who all played for Manu Samoa.
The prime minister of Sāmoa, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi gave his blessings to Marist St Joseph’s Sports Club, Inc’s 45th Anniversary Celebrations following a meeting with the Club’s President and Executive Committee earlier this week.
Tuilaepa is one of the patrons of the Club and delivered the keynote address at the anniversary celebration’s launch on Thursday.
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News category: Asia Pacific.
