As part of the Independence Year Celebration, Marist St Joseph’s Sports Club open its Calendar sports year with the VI Vailima Marist Fantastic 9s Competition which was held at ACP Marist Sport Club, last weekend in partnership with the Samoa Rugby league and NRL.
There were 11 Mens Team vying for the Cup and 3 Womens Team who were also vying for the top price. The Apia Maroons Womens team take the top price for the ladies and Vailima Saints wons its Fourth Championship back-to-back to back-to-back.
As per the Head Coach Lemalu John Lemisio, he said that the win was for Samoa, celebrating its 60th Independence and for all the Marist Fraternity around the world and Samoa. He dedicated the Marist Saints win to all its Saints Sponsors who supported them in their new Jersey they had worn during the competition and to all the families of the players, who sacrifice their time with the family just to camp and stay on campus to prepare for the tournament.
Other activities the Saints participated in leading up to the momentum still haven’t gone unnoticed by the Saints Management. The Saints participated in a Mass celebration and Independence March to commemorate the 60ths Independence of Samoa at Alafua with the MOBPA family and were given a blessing by Fr Mika and the President Tuatagaloa Aumua Ming and the Marist Old Boys.
On a Friday before the Game Day, they held a small ceremony to bless and open their new League skits and jersey that was conducted by Fr Sefo Vili a Marist ordained Priest who is from the Lepea Parish and the Saints Rugby Team Patron. Lemalu believed their whole week of fasting was all that the team gave up to the Lord was the blessing behind the success of the team this year.
Their aim is for someone from the Saints team to be selected in the Toa Samoa Team, for its upcoming World Cup and World 9s that Samoa is hosting in the future.
Lemalu Concluded that our Saints team like to acknowledge all our sponsors who make it possible to support our team, Vailima Breweries, Digicel, MOBPA, Federal Fiduciaries, Beta Multimedia Inv Co.Ltd, Connect IT, Gold Builders, Aumua Law Firm, SSAB, Real Estate, Pinati Restaurant, Our President Pouniu, executive and MSJSC members and Saints Former Players who reside overseas and here. Thank you for the generous support in everything you have done for the team. The win is for you all. Happy Independence and God Bless.
More information and results from the Vailima Fantastic League 9s are found on the Marist St. Josephs Sports Club Samoa FB page.
Marist next sport events is the Marist 7s that will be on the 24th & 25th June 2022.