Tonga

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC0033" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="3fa285a1ddthii.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Aussie Rules Global Invasion</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aussie Rules Global Invasion"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Australia"><U>Australia</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fiji"><U>Fiji</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nauru"><U>Nauru</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="New Zealand"><U>New Zealand</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id64.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Papua New Guinea"><U>Papua New Guinea</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Samoa"><U>Samoa</U></A>   |   <B>Tonga</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=9.375% BGCOLOR="#CC0033" TEXT="#080000" background="3f9d4fe0ddthii.png"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Tonga</I></div> <div> <I><B><U> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="307" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 110 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="287a3680.jpg" border=0 width="163" height="104" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id138.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tonga"><U><B>International Results</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tonga"><U><B>Photo Gallery</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></I></div> <div> <I><B><U>News</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="713" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#CC0033 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="707"><div> <B>Tonga go down in first International to Samoa</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 291 WIDTH="707"><div> Dec 1 2004</div> <div> report from TAFA</div> <div> On a hot and humid Saturday in Samoa the Tongan team were geared for their first ever Aussie Rules International. The field, a full size oval, the teams 18 a side, the umpires were set, coaches ready, national anthem sung and sipi tau completed, we were ready for to write our names in the history books.</div> <div> Samoa had many advantages in the match but out boys showed that they have a will to play the game and the desire to win. Our boys have never played 18 a side Aussie Rules, never played on a full length field and they have only been playing for the last 5 months, Samoa ended up running out winners 7.8.(50) to 4.5.(29) with this in mind going down by only 21 points is a huge success and teams throughout the world should be now wondering what will come from next year.</div> <div> The match started off with some big hits and courageous play, which flowed on throughout the match, neither side shirked a tackle and the Tongan side step proved useful (Tongan side step is a myth created to give opposition teams a false sense of security, Tongans do not side step they just plough on through).</div> <div> After the match our boys were disappointed with heads held low and even a few tears in the eyes, players and staff, but they were reminded to look back at how far they had come in 5 months, from not knowing how to play a game to playing for your country, and most of the team will get their chance next year to even the score due to the team being 15, 16 and 17 year olds. </div> <div> Tonga will be hosting Samoa next year in the Polynesian Challenge and we hope to get a team from Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="714" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#CC0033 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="708"><div> <B>Tongan School boys meet the King</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 249 ><NOBR><div> Nov 25 2004</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="682" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 206 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="29c2cc80.png" border=0 width="300" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="370"><div> On Tuesday 23 November at 11.00pm the Tongan Touring Squad were provided with a rare treat. The entire Tongan Touring Squad had a sit down appointment with his majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.</div> <div> The King wished the team well and good luck but most importantly to enjoy the tour and have fun not to mention bringing back the winning trophy.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="715" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#CC0033 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="709"><div> <B>Tonga Announce National Team</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 474 WIDTH="709"><div> Nov 12 2004</div> <div> The Tonga Australia Football Association today announce its training squad that will travel to Samoa to take on their national team. The final squad wil be announced on Friday November 19. The Training Squad is:</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="544" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 384 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="25fcd120.png" border=0 width="205" height="274" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="328"><div> Maikolo Fonua - Liahona</div> <div> Suiti Fotu - Havelu</div> <div> Gabriel Jeriga - Liahona</div> <div> Samuela Heilala - Havelu</div> <div> Suli Kaufusi - Havelu</div> <div> Simione Loketi - Fatumu</div> <div> Sione Petelo - Maufanga</div> <div> Ofa Mata'u - Pahu</div> <div> Paulo Penitani - Maufanga</div> <div> Siupeli Huihahou - Liahona</div> <div> Tu'uanga Niutupuiuna - Liahona</div> <div> Tonga Toutai - Popua</div> <div> Sione Pomale - Liahona</div> <div> Fe'iloaki Falekaono - Maufanga</div> <div> Heneli Tonga - Lapaha</div> <div> Semisi Takolo - Popua</div> <div> Salesi Tauveli - Ha'alalo</div> <div> Viliami Niupahu - Liahona</div> <div> Aleki Tuiono - Maufanga</div> <div> Paseka Fangupo - Maufanga</div> <div> Makiteli Valu - Maufanga</div> <div> Seleti Kolopeaua - Havelu</div> <div> Vaikalafi Tufi - Haasin</div> <div> Ueini Tuiuholoala - Houma</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> This will be the Tongan's national teams first ever match, they did compete in the Multicultural Cup but that event was for people of Tongan decent and not the national team.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="715" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#CC0033 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="709"><div> <B>Member from TAFA to visit Fiji</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="709"><div> Apr 25 2004</div> <div> Mark Koston who is a member of the Tongan Australian Football Association will be soon visiting <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fiji"><U>Fiji</U></A> and meeting with the Steering Committee. They will be discussing a constitution for FAFA which will assist in the election of FAFA Committee's as well as roles such as President etc... The meeting will be held on the 17th of May and is for the Steering Committee Members. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="715" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#CC0033 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="709"><div> <B>TAFA LATEST NEWS</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 1166 WIDTH="709"><div> Mar 11 2004</div> <div> WELCOME BACK - February in Tonga - It means cyclones, rain, traffic  jams(from kids being dropped off at school in the rain), some more rain and the beautiful noise of High School Sports cheering at Teufaiva stadium. TAFA intends making a bit of that noise this year and is working towards a High Schools Competition. The benefits of a High Schools competition are too numerous to mention, but a couple of possible spinoffs might be the sponsorship of a prize, the offering of a student scholarship to Australia (in Aussie Rules territory obviously) and a High Schools tour of Samoa. Nothing is firm yet, so don't get too excited until we give the nod!</div> <bR> <div> COMMITTEE - Every successful sporting club has a couple of Quiet Reliable Workhorses who catch the eggs that clowns like Moli and Mark juggle. TAFA's first QRW trophy goes to Ian Hutchinson who slipped out of Tonga at the end of 2003 with just a pat on the back and few good TAFA memories. We're sorry we can't offer more than that, Ian. Your contribution was massive, and we hope you that one day you are in the same part of the MCG as us when a Tongan runs out onto the field. To fill Ian's big boots we have managed to recruit six exciting new people - 3 young Aussies and 3 experienced Tongans. The exact makeup of this year's committee will be determined at the next meeting (late Feb/early Mar). All in all a good looking team, however 2004 will prove whether we look good in the mirror or whether we can really cut it out on the paddock. We are also privileged to retain the generous support of our Patron Hon. Ma'afu.</div> <bR> <div> DEVELOPMENT OFFICER - Great news! Nick Blencowe has been accepted by TAFA  and made it through the AUSAID selection process for a 9 month stay in Tonga. He arrives in late March and will work out of an office within TASA with a local Development Officer to introduce Aussie Rules to High Schools and basic hand-eye coordination skills to younger kids. Nick is 26 years old and very excited about coming to Tonga. He's a great guy and should fit in well. Remember he's a volunteer….so don't forget to buy him a beer!</div> <bR> <div> MULTICULTURAL CUP - Check out Tonga's first International Event next month in Melbourne. Special Thanks to for their support of the Tongan Team</div> <bR> <div> TONGA NATIONAL PLAYING STRIP - Check out the Tongan National Playing Strip. Blood Red for a good reason!</div> <bR> <div> MEDIA ARTICLES - Check out what's being said about TAFA</div> <bR> <div> TAFA BOOT ORPHANAGE - TAFA gladly accepts donations of discarded football boots and other sporting equipment from all over Australia and gives them to Tongan kids. Its great and it works. Click on the link to find out how you can help us!</div> <bR> <div> TIPPING COMPETITION - The 2003 internet tipping competition was very successful by the two most relevant measures; it was a lot of fun and we raised money. This year we are aiming to double participation. The ask is…if you were in it last year come back again and recruit a fellow tipster. Kali and Sila will get the ball rolling in the next couple of weeks. Same rules as last year and same price - AUD$80 or TOP$100 for all home and away games. Get your money to a committee member and we will send you </div> <div> your login details. It is really quite easy - if Mark's mother can manage it (and then win the competition), it can't be too hard!</div> <bR> <div> POSITIONS VACANT - Public Relations Assistant.</div> <bR> <div> TAFA BAZAAR - TAFA raises money by selling products that you may find useful.</div> <bR> <div> SOCIAL FUNCTION - Our first Social event will probably coincide with the final of the Wizard Cup, or the first round of the home and away </div> <div> season. More later.</div> <bR> <div> PHOTO GALLERY - check out the latest TAFA images.</div> <bR> <div> VISIT BY HAWTHORN FOOTBALL CLUB - Our relationship with Hawthorn continuesto crystalise. The CEO of Hawthorn, Mr Steven Leighton, visited Tonga on a family holiday recently. Like all good Aussie Rules fans he packed a footy for an international family holiday and spent most of the week playing kick to kick with the locals over at Atata Island. TAFA got to keep the footy and Moli and Mark were shouted a great meal at Little Italy. </div> <div> Thanks</div> <div> Steve.</div> <bR> <div> Exposure at such a high level was fantastic for TAFA. Being around highly successful people rubs off on you, and both Moli and Mark walked away quite charged. He was genuinely interested in the progress of TAFA and provided constant reassurance that TAFA is on the right track. His most important messages were very clear and very familiar:</div> <bR> <div> “….the sporting talent in the Pacific is massive…...It is inexplicable that there is not a Tongan playing in the AFL when there are so many</div> <div> playing Union and League at the highest levels”,</div> <div> and</div> <div> “We are interested in kids from the Pacific. It is not so important whether they have all the skills straight away; Hawthorn has skills coaches for that. It is more important that they are mentally and emotionally mature and ready to do some hard work”.</div> <bR> <div> Tonga Australian Football Association</div> <div> PO Box 1135</div> <div> Nuku'alofa</div> <div> Kingdom of Tonga</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>