NEWSPAGE 30 September
2011

(Photo: Grey Lynn Business Association)

(Photo: Samoa Rugby Union)

SAMOA: Manu Samoa squad to play South Africa named
Source: Samoa Rugby Union Press Release
 
Manu Samoa’s Head Coach Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua announced on Wednesday (September 28, 2011) its 22 man squad to play against South Africa, this evening.

Fuimaono told reporters in a press conference that today’s match is very important for Manu Samoa in order to continue its journey to the Rugby World Cup. “We believe that we have a chance to win our game.”

Asked whether Samoa is opted for a different game plan against South Africa, Fuimaono agreed saying Manu Samoa do have a game plan specifically set for South Africa but will not elaborate on it. “You just have to wait and see on the day of the match.”

Falling on the match day, Samoa recalls the tragic tsunami accident that claimed more than 100 lives. Captain Mahonri Schwalger says, the disaster will be a drive for the players against its opponent. “The disaster will be big motivation for the boys and we are to make sure that we are going to win this game.”

Fuimaono added for today’s match the players are looking forward to the challenge. “This game is very important to the players as it will not only to beat the South Africans but it be their chance to play against one of the number one teams in the world.”

Manu Samoa Team

Sakaria Taulafo
Mahonri Schwalger (Captain)
Census Johnston
Daniel Leo
Kane Thompson
Taiasina Taulafo
Maurie Faasavalu
George Stowers
Kahn Fotualii
Tusi Pisi
Alesana Tuilagi
Eliota Sapolu
Seilala Mapusua (Vice Captain)
David Lemi
Paul Williams

RESERVES
Ole Avei
Anthony Perenise
Logovii Mulipola
Ofisa Trevaranius
Filipo Lavea Levi
Junior Polu
George Pisi

Photo Caption: Head Coach Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua with Captain Mahonri Schwalger.

(Photo: Oceania Football Confederation)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Football Federation targets improvements

The technical department of Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) has a firm idea of the improvements it would like to see made after the men's and women's sides failed to pick up any points from their respective campaigns at the XIV Pacific Games.

Both teams returned home winless and scoreless from the event, which was held in New Caledonia during August and September, and finished bottom of each of their groups.

Technical advisor Larry Mana'o, who was involved in the efforts of both sides, has put together a report on the matches and has pinpointed some key areas in which he feels improvements need to be made.

"The experience our players gained will go a long way in helping them prepare for the upcoming tournaments they will compete in," FFAS President Iuli Alex Godinet says.

"The talent we played against was of a much higher standard, especially in the men's competition, but they fought hard and I take my hat off to both teams for doing their best."

Despite the results going firmly against American Samoa, FFAS chief executive officer Tavita Taumua feels some positives can still be taken out of the Games showings.

"The experience the players gained is great," he says.

"It's going to help them prepare mentally for our tournaments in the near future. The ball is now in our technical department's court to work on the improvements needed to make our teams better."

Mana'o has highlighted a handful of key areas for each team, mainly relating to skills such as control and distribution, as well as fitness levels and defensive organisation among other things.

"He has brought up a lot of good points and the federation, particularly our technical department of which Larry is part, will be targeting these areas," Taumua says. "They will be at the top of our list of improvements that need to be worked on."

The men's team conceded 26 goals in its five Group A games in New Caledonia - against the hosts, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and Guam - and that figure was a vast improvement on the previous Pacific Games campaign in 2007, when 38 goals were given up over just four games.

Of the five opponents American Samoa faced in Noumea, two were also played against in 2007 - Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Against Vanuatu four years ago, the score was 15-0 while this time the margin of defeat was 8-0. Solomon Islands also found the American Samoa defence harder to break down this year, winning 4-0 after triumphing 12-1 in 2007.

Of the 18 players in the 2011 squad, only five took part in the last Games.

The women's squad was also vastly different with just two of the 17 players returning to the fold. But, in contrast to the men, the new faces failed to improve on the previous results and conceded far more goals this time.

The side let in 23 strikes in its four Group A games - against New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti and Solomon Islands - to almost double the 2007 tally of 13 from the same number of matches. The 2007 crop also managed a feat their successors did not come close to achieving, picking up a point with a 1-1 draw against Cook Islands.

Both the men's and women's teams have chances on the immediate horizon to improve on their Games' efforts.

The men will be in action again in Samoa in November when they will meet the hosts, Cook Islands and Tonga in the preliminary stages of the OFC Nations Cup - the first step on the qualification path for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil - while the women will take part in the qualifiers for the London 2012 Olympics in Fiji in March.

For more on American Samoa football go to www.ffas.as

Photo Caption: Alma Mana'o in action during American Samoa's loss to Solomon Islands at the Pacific Games.

FIJI: Strengthening influenza surveillance in the Pacific
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Community Press Release
 

A workshop aimed at reviewing and strengthening current influenza surveillance systems in the Pacific Island region is currently underway in Fiji.

Outbreaks of influenza can occur at any time of the year in Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs), with the continual movement of people in and out of the region. The disease can also spread easily between PICTs, as demonstrated during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

‘We try to make sure that all PICTs, including the most remote islands, can send samples for testing to laboratories for detection and identification of influenza viruses,’ said Salanieta Elbourne, Laboratory Specialist at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

It is crucial for PICTs to be able to detect and confirm outbreaks of influenza quickly in order to respond effectively.

Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, Deputy Director-General of SPC, emphasised at the opening of the workshop that ‘Curtailing the spread of influenza is important because it not only affects the health of the population, it also impacts on the social, economic and financial aspects of a nation.’

The four-day workshop (26-29 September) is organised by SPC with funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to CDC Epidemiologist Margaret McCarron, who spoke at the workshop, ‘Influenza is a significant public health problem at the global level, but little is known about the burden of the disease in most countries, including in the PICTs.’

‘We encourage countries to routinely take samples from people thought to be infected and send them to reference laboratories for testing in order to know what type of influenza viruses are circulating in the region. This practice also helps contribute to influenza vaccine production,’ said Ms Elbourne.

Seven PICTs (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu) and a number of partner agencies are participating in this subregional workshop.

(Photo: Colin Gans / Dive Photo Guide)

NIUE: Niue Island swamped by endangered Humpback Whales
Source: Niue Tourism Press Release
 

It has been an eventful whale season in Niue with people on the island being blown away by the numbers of whales in the island’s bays in recent months.

Tourism Development Manager Hayden Porter has described the waters surrounding Niue as “whale soup” due to the numbers of whales that have been seen on a regular basis from both land and sea.

“The whale season has been amazing. On many days I had to stop my car on my way home because just off the side of the road a whale gymnastics show was underway,” says Porter.

Despite their endangered status, the South Pacific Humpback Whale is a frequent visitor from July to October each year, when they arrive in Niue to calve and nurse their young in the islands’ sheltered bays and deep waters. Because Niue is an atoll, and surrounded by very deep waters, whales are able to come within 50 meters of the shore making Niue one of the only places in the world where you can whale watch from the land.

The whales are most frequently seen on the westcoast of the island, with one resort - The Matavai, reporting whale sightings from their restaurant deck on an almost daily basis.

“Resort guests are always amazed that they can enjoy their dinner while watching the whales,” says Porter.

The Matavai Resort recently held a free ‘Whale Tales’ presentation which was hosted by Marine Mammal Biologist Olive Andrews of the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium. The presentation was attended by locals and visitors who were eager to learn about the endangered South Pacific Humpback Whales which visit Niue’s waters.

“Visitors who come to Niue are always very moved by their whale encounters so it was great to have a presentation where they could learn more about these special animals and the importance of their preservation,” says Porter.

Olive Andrews and her research team from Whales Alive have been in Niue collecting research on the whales including photographs, skin samples and whale song recordings which will help them in their ongoing conservation efforts of these amazing mammals.

As well as having some of the best land based whale watching opportunities in the world, Niue is also one of only three places in the world where visitors can swim with them giving visitors to the island the opportunity to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

“This season has been one out of the box” says Porter.

It appears however, the whales have now continued on their journey south, so we look forward to welcoming them back again next year and hope the numbers are as extreme as we have seen this season.”

Niue’s whales are a big attraction, but the island’s clear, deep waters also make it an incredible diving, snorkeling and fishing destination.
 

Photo Caption: Adolescent humpback whales, Niue Island.

(Photo: Greg Semu)

WORLDWIDE: Samoan New Zealander makes shortlist for prestigious art prize
Source: Joe Public Relations Press Release

The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) and Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation have announced a New Zealander as one of the 15 finalists shortlisted for the 2011 APB Foundation Signature Art Prize.

Auckland born photographer, Greg Semu’s photo series, The Last Cannibal Supper, has earned a shortlisted placement in the international competition seeing artists vie for a $45,000 grand prize.

Semu’s striking work, The Last Cannibal Supper, is a provocative re-enactment of Leonardo Da Vinci’s similarly titled piece - The Last Supper. Featuring Semu himself at the centre of the main work ‘Auto-portrait with 12 Deciples (sic)’, palm branches, flax walls, and shells strike a Pacific resonance in a series which explores the religious colonisation of the Kanak people, indigenous of Noumea.

The Samoan photographer grew up in a religiously indoctrinated family, and recalls everyday of his childhood looking at a wall size rug of Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece hanging above the fireplace in the family home.

“Sometimes I would feel myself dissolving into the image’s details like the table legs, the windows, the roof,” says Semu.

This year’s shortlist was selected from the 130 artworks which were nominated from 24 countries and territories for the Prize. The 15 finalists come from 14 countries and territories across Asia Pacific. Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam has one finalist each, while South Korea has two finalists.

Making the selection was the jury panel of five eminent art experts: Mr. Fumio Nanjo, Director, Mori Art Museum; Mr. Gregor Muir, Executive Director, Institute of Contemporary Arts London; Mr. Hendro Wijanto, leading Southeast Asian writer, critic and curator; Mr. Ranjit Hoskote, Curator of the India Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2011 and leading South Asian poet-writer, curator and critic, and Mr. Tan Boon Hui, Director, SAM.

According to a statement from the jury panel, “The Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize has proved to be highly competitive, not only because of the considerable number of nominated artworks, but also due to the sheer calibre and diversity of the artworks emerging from the region. Each of the 15 shortlisted works has stood out for its strength of concept and execution, and many are also extremely moving pieces. The Signature Art Prize does not rest on a system of national quotas. Rather, it recognises and honours the outstanding merit of the singular art-work or art project.

Taken collectively, the artworks demonstrate the thriving vibrancy of art-making in Asia Pacific today. The 15 finalist works draw equally on the artists' personal experience and the historical trajectories of their societies. They reflect the artists' sophisticated responses to contemporary issues facing their region in a highly interconnected global present. The artworks also showcase the range of mediums and techniques used in contemporary art-making in the region. Asia Pacific artists extend and enrich their practices in diverse ways: by engaging with the heterogeneity of craft cultures, by addressing the fine-arts legacy, and through the critical application of new technologies. We look forward to viewing the works when they are presented at the Singapore Art Museum in November.”

All 15 finalist artworks will be presented in The Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize 2011 Finalists Exhibition at SAM in November.

Mr Tan Boon Hui, Director of Singapore Art Museum, says, “As a museum dedicated to contemporary art of the region, SAM is pleased to bring together all these finalist artworks and showcase these marks of distinction in Asia Pacific contemporary art in our galleries. The Signature Art Prize is one-of-its-kind in this part of the world, and is a wonderful and democratic way to recognise good, quality work by artists in the region, regardless of their origins or whether they are established or just emerging. The impressive range of works and artistic concepts reflected will undoubtedly give visitors further insight into the region and its distinctive and dynamic contemporary art practice. We also invite the public to actively participate in the People’s Choice Award and vote for their favourite work.”

Ms. Sarah Koh, General Manager, Group Corporate Communications, Asia Pacific Breweries Limited adds, “The APB Foundation is committed to encouraging the growth of a vibrant arts scene in the region and are extremely excited to be involved in the presentation of these quality contemporary artworks uncovered by this year’s APB Foundation Signature Art Prize.”

On 17 November, five winners including one Grand Prize winner (SGD 45,000), three Jurors’ Choice Award winners (SGD 10,000 each) and one People’s Choice Award winner (SGD 10,000), will be announced at the APB Foundation Signature Art Prize Awards Ceremony. While the Grand Prize and Jurors’ Choice Awards will be conferred by the judging panel following a viewing of the installed works, the People’s Choice Award will be presented to the public’s most loved work. Supporters can nominate their favourite finalist work for the award online at www.singaporeartmuseum.sg/signatureartprize from 1 October 2011 or cast their votes in person at the Asia Pacific Foundation Signature Art Prize 2011 Finalists Exhibition. Those who vote will stand the chance to win an Apple MacBook Air, or receive one of 20 limited edition commemorative catalogues about the Prize, the finalists and their artwork.

The Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize 2011 Finalists Exhibition will run from 11 November 2011 to 4 March 2012, with a series of curatorial talks, artist talks, guided tours and other outreach activities held in conjunction with the show to give the public more insight into each of the finalist works.
 

Photo Caption: Detail of Greg Semu’s 'The Last Cannibal Supper'.