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NEW ZEALAND: Health Sponsorship Council supports
League 4 Life programmes
Source:
New Zealand
Rugby League Press Release
The Health Sponsorship Council has teamed up
with New Zealand Rugby League to lend its
support to the League 4 Life Healthy Breakfast
Eaters programme.
The Health Sponsorship Councils mission to
promote health and encourage healthy lifestyles
with a special interest in nutrition and
increased physical activity is an ideal partner
for the NZRL and its League 4 Life programmes.
Dain Guttenbeil, NZRL Community Programmes
Manager says “With 36,000 children not eating
breakfast at home on a school day and Pacific
Island children 5.7 times and Maori children 2.5
times more likely to skip breakfast, it is
essential that we get the message to our
community about the importance of feeding their
children breakfast.”
“In the first instance we’re doing this by
giving key messages at the Community Roots
Camps, and then we’re showing them how easy it
can be by offering all participants at the camps
a simple breakfast of cereal, a drink and some
toast with spread.”
He continues “We’ve been very fortunate to have
a number of Vodafone Warriors come along to our
first two camps in Rotorua and Whangarei and
they’ve been with the children giving them their
toast and cereal and pouring them drinks. We’re
sure that the families will take their lead from
these role models and try and do the same at
home.”
New Zealand Rugby League will continue to work
with the Health Sponsorship Council on
developing effective actions to encourage the
greater league community to take steps to
improve the health and wellbeing of their
families.
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(Photo:
T. Gasu / Samoa News) |
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SAMOA: Samoa Barbarians off to Fiji
Source:
Samoa Rugby Union Press Release
Manu Samoa Sevens Coach Stephen Betham is using
the Fiji’s Marist Sevens and the Fiji Bitter
Nawaqa 7’s tournaments to bump new fresh blood
into the Sevens team.
Last night the Samoa Sevens Barbarians team left
to take part in two tournaments in Fiji. “We
were invited, and so we are using this
opportunity for our new players, and also as a
warm up game ahead of the Hong Kong Sevens leg.”
The Barbarians includes Afa Aiono, Sale Pi’I,
Fale Sooialo, Apelu Faaiuga, Robert Lilomaiava,
Taulagi Afamasaga, Reupena Levasa, Alatasi Tupou,
Lolo Lui, Petelo Tuimavave, Uale Ma’I, and Tom
Iosefa.
A total of thirty teams have confirmed their
places for the first tournament the Fiji Bitter
Nawaka 7s which will get underway at Prince
Charles Park in Nadi from the 25th and 26th of
this month.
The winner of the final will get to walk away
with $21,000 in prize money.
The second tournament, Fiji Bitter Marist
Sevens, will accommodate 64 teams in the two-day
tournament schedule to kick off on the 4th and
5th next month. The winner of this year's main
competition receives $25,000.
In total, there will be a prize pool of $50,000
cash up for grabs.
Photo Caption: Manu Samoa Sevens Coach,
Stephen Betham.
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AMERICAN SAMOA: Four people nominated for U.S.
Military Service Academies
Source:
Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release
Congressman Faleomavaega has announced that he
has nominated four candidates from American
Samoa to the U.S. Military Service Academies.
“It is always a great honour for me to make
nominations to the U.S. Military Service
Academies and it is my sincere hope that these
candidates whom I have nominated will be
successful in their pursuits of obtaining
appointments to the academies.” Congressman
Faleomavaega said
The candidates nominated this year are:
Mr. Joseph Joo, a senior at South Pacific
Academy, and is the son of Mr. Jong Keun and
Mrs. Nahaeri Jun Joo of Amanave, nominated to
the U.S. Military Academy;
Miss Myranda Ah Lam Parungo, a senior at
Fagaitua High School, and is the daughter of Mr.
Marciel Parungo and Mrs. Fiailoa Parungo of Aoa,
nominated to the U.S. Military Academy and to
the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy;
Cadet Candidate Avalisa Mautumua Poialii,
currently attending the USAF Preparatory School
in Colorado Springs, Colorado and is the
daughter of Mr. Gaoteote Tapatonu Poialii and
Mrs. Manu’a Peau Gaoteote Poialii of Vatia,
nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy; and
Cadet Candidate Fa’aolataga Pulou, currently
attending the USMA Preparatory School in Fort
Manmouth, New Jersey and is the son of Mr.
Fereti Pulou and Mrs. Folauiula Pulou of
Fagaitua, nominated to the U.S. Military
Academy.
“I would like to congratulate as well as wish
this year’s nominees the best of luck with the
application process.” Faleomavaega concluded.
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(Photo:
TopNews) |
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FIJI: Fiji PM sends condolences to New Zealand
PM
Source:
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has
sent a message to New Zealand Prime Minister
John Key conveying the country’s heartfelt
condolences to the bereaved families and all
those affected by the earthquake that struck
Christchurch on Tuesday.
Bainimarama told Mr. Key that the government and
people of Fiji have been shocked and saddened at
the loss of precious lives and damage to
property caused by the disastrous earthquake.
He says Fiji shares with the government and the
people of New Zealand the distress and sorrow in
these challenging times.
Bainimarama says Fiji is ready, if New Zealand
considered it appropriate, to make available any
means of assistance they may need to cope with
the aftermath of the earthquake.
Photo Caption: Fijian Prime Minister,
Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
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(Photo:
Oceania Football Confederation) |
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SOLOMON ISLANDS: Solomon Islands too strong for
Fiji
Source:
Oceania Football Confederation Press
Release
The Solomon Islands’ quest to qualify for their
fifth consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
began well today as they defeated a resilient
Fiji side 9-4 in the opening match of the OFC
Beach Soccer Championship Tahiti 2011.
In humid, windy conditions at Papeete’s Jardin
de Paofai, the defending champions started
slowly but eventually took control of the match
as Robert Laua and Franco Ne’e led the way
scoring a hat-trick each.
Coach Henry Koto was pleased with the
performance, which also featured a brace for
captain James Naka and one goal to McPhillip
Aisa.
“The wind made it a bit difficult today but with
the experience within the team I think they
handled the conditions well and played a good
game,” said Koto.
“I’m very pleased with Robert Laua who I thought
was tremendous. He is a very young player, he
gives everything, he is consistent and today he
showed what he can do scoring a hat-trick.”
The formidable Naka got the scoring underway
with a lethal free-kick after four minutes
before Ne’e got the first of his three from
another dead ball situation two minutes later.
Fiji showed they meant business, hitting back
through Jo Dugucagi, while the Solomon Bilikiki
suffered another set back in the first period
when Gibson Hosea was stretchered off with a
suspected torn ligament in his knee.
But the favourites found their stride in the
second third putting four unanswered goals past
the Fijians.
Intiaz Khan’s men staged a spirited fight back
in the final period with a second goal for
Dugucagi and strikes to Raju Ratan and Archie
Watkins helping the underdogs finish on a high.
“It was a positive way to end it,” said Khan.
“And the boys will take confidence going into
the next match against Tahiti tomorrow.
“We were expecting a solid performance from the
Solomon Islands and they deserved the win today.
But my team, many of them newcomers to beach
soccer, stood up to the challenge and fought
hard.”
Fiji captain Benaminio Mateinaqara echoed Khan’s
sentiments saying his players can hold their
heads high.
“The Solomon Islands are known as the Brazilians
of the Pacific and they’ve been to four world
cups,” said the Fiji goalkeeper.
“For most of our team, we are better known for
11-a-side. But we played with pride today and
we’re pleased to score four goals past them and
show that we can compete.
“Tonight we’ll watch a video of the match and
see where we can improve. Mostly I think we need
to work on our defense, especially managing the
balls thrown from the goalkeeper into their
forward players.”
His Solomon Islands counterpart also believes
there is room to improve for his side.
“The first game of a tournament is always
difficult because the team is still coming
together,” said Naka. “There are things to work
on after today’s game but we got the result we
wanted. We think Tahiti will be a tougher
challenge, but we have an opportunity to rest
tomorrow before facing them.”
Fiji play Tahiti at 12:30pm on Thursday (local
time) while the Solomon Islands face the hosts
on Friday before the top two teams square off in
Saturday’s final to see who will go through to
the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 in Italy.
Photo Caption: 19-year-old Robert Laua
was a standout in the Bilikiki's 9-4 win.
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(Photo:
Australian Government) |
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WORLDWIDE: New RAMSI Special Coordinator
welcomed
Source:
Pacific
Islands Forum Secretariat Press
Release
The Foreign Minister of Solomon Islands, the
Hon. Peter Shanel, the Secretary General of the
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma
Neroni Slade and the RAMSI Special Coordinator
Graeme Wilson, have welcomed the appointment of
Mr Nicholas Coppel as the next Special
Coordinator of RAMSI.
Mr Coppel will replace Mr Wilson following a
brief hand-over period at the end of March. Mr
Wilson has been Special Coordinator since
January 2009 and will depart Solomon Islands in
early April 2011.
Hon. Shanel said the Solomon Islands Government
(SIG) was looking forward to continuing its
close cooperation with RAMSI under the
leadership of Mr Coppel, particularly as
planning begins for RAMSI’s transition.
“It is just as important now as it was when the
mission first came to Solomon Islands, that
RAMSI and the Government work closely together
to meet the challenges that face this nation.
He said it was pleasing to note that Mr Coppel
already had strong experience in the Pacific
region, most recently as Assistant Secretary,
Pacific Regional and New Zealand Branch in the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),
Australia.
Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
Mr Slade, noting the PIF’s continuing oversight
role in relation to RAMSI, said Mr Coppel would
have an important leadership role to play in
coordinating the work of the mission, in which
all members of the Forum play an active part.
Secretary-General Slade welcomed the close and
collaborative relationship between the PIF, the
SIG and RAMSI, and noted the strong ongoing
support of all PIF members for the mission.
Outgoing Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson,
said he was proud of what RAMSI and Solomon
Islands continued to achieve in partnership.
“As RAMSI plans its transition, I believe
Solomon Islanders can have confidence in the
solid foundation we have laid down together for
the country’s recovery and this nation’s
future,” Mr Wilson said.
Mr Wilson said Mr Coppel’s broad experience and
diverse skills would be put to good use in
leading RAMSI.
“Working with Solomon Islanders and leading a
group of dedicated men and women from Australia,
New Zealand and the Pacific is challenging,
rewarding and a great privilege,” Mr Wilson
said.
The appointment of Mr Coppel, who was nominated
by the Australian Government in accordance with
the RAMSI Treaty, was confirmed following
consultation with the Solomon Islands Government
and the Pacific Islands Forum. Prior to
undertaking the role of Assistant Secretary,
Pacific Regional and New Zealand Branch in the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),
Australia, Mr Coppel held a number of positions
in Canberra and overseas including as Deputy
High Commissioner to Port Moresby. Between 2006
and 2008, Mr Coppel was seconded to the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
where he ran the branch responsible for the
Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the
United Nations.
Mr Coppel said he was looking forward to working
with Solomon Islanders and the region to build
on the progress made through the RAMSI-Solomon
Islands partnership over the last seven and a
half years.
“I particularly look forward to maintaining the
close working relationship that has been
established between RAMSI, the Solomon Islands
Government and the Pacific Islands Forum with
the aim of continuing to build a peaceful, well
governed and more prosperous Solomon Islands.”
Photo Caption: Newly appointed Special
Coordinator of RAMSI, Mr Nicholas Coppel.
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