An under 13s seven rugby team from Ashburton has tasted victory at the Central South Island Tongan Youth Boys Sevens Rugby competition in Timaru. It was hosted by Tongan Society South Canterbury.
The team – along with the Ashburton under 15 and under 17 sides – had only assembled the week of the competition which was held at Fraser Park in Timaru.
Ashburton won the under-13s, after beating Dunedin in the final. The under-15s were also placed, beating North Otago to take out third place.
The two day competition held at the end of November involved teams from Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru and Dunedin.
Mid Canterbury organising committee Ana Taufa said she wasn’t really sure how many boys would be interested in playing, leading up to the tournament.
‘‘The week of the tournament we ended up with 27 boys signing up for Mid Canterbury.’’
There had been a quick scramble to sort uniforms. Mid Canterbury Rugby provided the jerseys. With the majority of players being from Ashburton College deputy principal Hannibal Ikahihifo – a proud Tongan – took on the role of chauffer.
Taufa said the idea was for the teams to have fun playing sevens while making connections with other Tongan youth.
There were about 300 players at the event.
‘‘Tongans love their rugby, and it was great to come together to play sport and build relationships,’’ Taufa said.
Along with the games a cultural night and dinner was held, for about 500 people.
‘‘The boys loved it and were so excited to be taking part. They want next year’s event to be three days,’’ Taufa said.
‘‘We were fortunate that Semisi Fakateli and Tevita Ula, two of the players dads, took on coaching the boys. There was a lot of parent and family support at the competition.’’
