Please find attached are the Official Results from the inaugural Vodafone 60th Independence International Sevens Tournament 2022 held last week on Thursday 8th, Friday 9th and Saturday 10th September 2022 at Apia Park Stadium.

The tournament was a continuation of the 60th Independence celebrations during the Teuila Festival which commenced with the Championship Round of National Schools Invitational Sevens Series 2022 held on 2nd & 3rd September at Apia Park Stadium and St Joseph’s College Fields – Alafua. 

Invitational Teams

The tournament included two invitational teams; Burra Rays women’s team from Australia and Auckland Marist Samoa men’s team from New Zealand making it an international sevens tournament battling it out with the best clubs on island to be crowned the inaugural champion of the Vodafone 60th Independence International Sevens Tournament and hoist the Teuila Cup for both women and men.

• Auckland Marist Samoa mens team arrived on Sunday 4th Sep 2022
• Burra Rays womens team arrived on Tuesday 6th Sep 2022

Welcome Ava Ceremony

Lakapi Samoa held a Welcome Ava Ceremony on Wednesday 7th Sep at Tanoa Tusitala Hotel to welcome all participating teams and officials especially our invitational teams from Australia and New Zealand.

Official Tournament Launch

Straight after the welcome ava ceremony, the official launch of the tournament proceeded with the keynote address delivered by Naming Rights Sponsor: Vodafone Samoa Chief Technical Officer: Leuo Alani Faiai; followed by an address from Lakapi Samoa CEO: Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai.

Pool Draw

The pool draw was held at the conclusion of the official launch confirming the four men’s pools for the tournament as well as the draw.

Team Parade In continuation to the celebrations of the 60th Independence of Samoa, all the participating teams paraded on the Apia Park track on Day 1 – Thursday 8th Sep. 
The Hon. Minister of Education, Sports and Culture: Seuula Ioane Tua’au delivered the keynote address and officially opened the tournament.  

Moment of Silence – in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Lakapi Samoa extended its sincerest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Great Britain at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth ll.
A minute of silence was observed before the Men’s Cup Final of the Vodafone International 7s Tournament at Apia Park.

Teuila Cup Champions

Congratulations to the Ott Constructors Tama Uli clinching the Teuila Cup defeating Auckland Marist Samoa 22-17 in a thrilling Cup Final where it was a game of two halves with the first dominated by Auckland Marist Samoa and the second a comeback from the men in black to seal victory and hoist for the first time the Teuila Cup.

Congratulations to Burra Rays clinching the Women’s Teuila Cup defeating Nafanua 12-5 in a hard fought battle in their final round robin match which put both teams on level on competition points, with 5 wins and 1 loss each. However with a superior points differential Burra Rays were ranked on top and claimed the Women’s Teuila Cup.

We wish to extend a massive faamalo and faafetai to all participating teams in the women’s and men’s competitions for the commitment and work put in; in preparation for the Vodafone 60th Independence International Sevens Tournament 2022 throughout the tournament week and especially during the three tournament days.

Malo galulue, malo onosai.

Sponsors

Lakapi Samoa wishes to thank our family of sponsors for their tremendous support and assistance in making the tournament a reality:

Naming Rights Sponsor:

• VODAFONE SAMOA

Sports sponsor:

• Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture (MESC)

Gold Sponsors

• Pacific Aus Sports
• International Business Finance Centre (IBFC)
• Samoa Tourism Authority (STA)
• St Therese 

Silver Sponsors

• Taula Beverages
• Le Well
• Global Travel
• Taumeasina Island Resort
• Jet Over Hotel

Donations

• SMI
• Pacific Fiduciaries
• Samoa Shipping Corporation
• Pacific Ezy

Australian High Commission 

We thank the Australian High Commission for their kind support and assistance in regards to the logistics and arrangements for the Burra Rays team participation in the tournament. 

Broadcast: 

We thank our Broadcaster: TV3 Samoa for broadcasting the tournament live in Samoa and live streaming on their social media outlets to our supporters abroad.

TV3 Samoa lsocial media platforms:

• TV3 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tv3samoa 
• TV3 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-vCpUtlhKRyUWyl0lBNPww 

We also thank our service providers for their kind support and services:

• Samoa Sports Facilities Authority (SSFA)
• Samoa Fire Emergency Services Authority (SFESA)
• Ministry of Police, Prisons & Corrections
• Samoa College
• Samoa Shipping Corporation
• Tara Ice & Hirage
• Sign Studios
• Samoa Judiciary Committee
• Samoa Referees Association
• First Aid in Rugby (FAIR)
• DJ Fa
• Volunteers

Tournament facebook page:

• The tournament live scores, videos and photos will be updated live on our Lakapi Samoa Facebook pages listed below.
  • Lakapi Samoa: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLakapiSamoa 
  • Samoa National 7s Series: https://www.facebook.com/SamoaLakapi7s 

Once again big faamalo and faafetai to all the participating teams, sponsors, service providers, tournament officials and stakeholders, malo galulue malo onosai.