More than 150 students attended Wests Tigers Pasifika Youth Summit in Campbelltown in an outstanding display of passion and culture.
Held at Wests League Club, adjacent to Campbelltown Sports Stadium, the event helped young Pasifika students from across Wests Tigers’ catchment areas connect with their heritage and set goals for the future.
The Wests Tigers Empower Community Program event culminated in the boys performing a haka, which they’d learnt earlier in the day, and the girls demonstrating a traditional Samoan dance.
The summit was attended by several special guests, including Wests Tigers players, Kit and Luke Laulilii, Justin Matamua, Solomone Saukuru and Claudia Brown.
Kit spoke with pride when discussing the opportunity Wednesday’s event provided for the youth in attendance, as well as himself.
“I consider myself still youth as well, so this is a learning experience for me,” the 19-year-old lock forward explained.
“Growing up in high school, I didn't really accept who I was because I hated the stereotype of Samoans having to be certain things in their future.
I never had programs like this growing up in school and this is an opportunity to showcase what it means to be a Pacific Islander.
Kit Laulilii
Wests Tigers Community Team Lead, Kenneth Tuala, was instrumental in organising the program and was ecstatic at the initiative students displayed in participating in the day’s activities.
Tuala, a proud Samoan, participated in a Youth Summit event when he was in high school, inspiring him to share his experiences with the next generation of Pasifika youth.
“I think the only way that we're going to get better in terms of creating a better culture for our younger people is by continuing to put on events like this,” Tuala said.
“Having these young Pasifika players come down and be a role model for these other kids is really inspiring to see, and they're so open and honest about their experiences as well.
Pasifika people connect like no other culture, our blood connects us.
Kenny Tuala
“So I think for those kids that are coming from schools that don't have too many Pasifika students, it's really enjoyable for them to have such an amazing experience as today’s one.”
Students such as Jewlius Cowley from Thomas Hassall Anglican College will aim to take their learnings from the summit back to their respective schools.
“It feels good because I get to be around people that I know what they're like and how they feel,” Cowley said.
“It's good to be at these sorts of events because we can learn a lot more and then take it back to school; if cultural days happen, we can talk about it more.”
“My culture is really important because that's where I'm from, that's where my parents and my grandparents originated from, that’s where everything started.
The Pasifika Youth Summit is just one of many initiatives planned for the Campbelltown and Macarthur region in 2025.
South-west-based fans thinking of joining the Wests Tigers Jungle can sign up for Membership at our Campbelltown office on Blaxland Rd.
