Pacific communities at the forefront of Rugby League expansion

As grassroots continues to be the pinnacle for many local sports scenes across the country, two Pacific leaders share how the wider Pasifika community are paving the way for rugby league’s growth.

Auckland and Wellington CEO of Rugby league Duane Mann and Andre Whittaker say the Pacific community is a key driver for the success of rugby league across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Mann, a former international rugby league star who played for both the Kiwis and Tonga, says the Auckland organisation is always striving to work together with their partners and stakeholders.

Being a longterm partner with Pasifika Aotearoa Collective, a non-profit organisation, Mann says being connected with these groups is important to help reach players and their families.

“Our volunteer workforce among 27 active clubs across Tamaki Makaurau that’s made up of Pasifika representation, is around 47 per cent,” Mann says.

“So we’ve got a healthy Pasifika volunteer workforce that holds this player base.”

Whether the roles range from club chairs to coaching directors, right to parents setting up the fields and preparing post-match kai, the Pacific presence is well and truly felt.

Whittaker, younger brother of former Kiwi’s player Ben Whittaker, was determined to make waves behind the scenes when he was named Chief Executive Officer of Wellington Rugby League in 2021 - the first Pacific Islander to hold this position.

In an interview with PMN producer Levi Matautia Morgan, the Tahitian and Rarotongan CEO shares the organisation has been able to stabilise a tough rebuilding stage and the number of participants have doubled over the last four years.

With the likes of current Warriors player Jacob Laban, and NRLW Canterbury Bulldogs Alexis Tauaneai coming from their regional Wellington clubs, it has paid off for the youth pathways to extend from two to now 10.

While acknowledging only a small percentage of the overall community actually make it professionally, Whittaker says junior development in Wellington is promising.

“The standout this year has been the under-14 POD (player on development),” he says.

“We had 60 train in the offseason - 30 boys 30 girls - and they are the future of our game.”

Despite the ongoing barrier of socio-economic issues, encouraging numbers show in this year's participation as 60 per cent of the 11,000 registered rugby league players are of Pacific heritage.

Understanding there is no silver bullet approach towards providing Pacific people with opportunity, Whittaker says more government recognition would help in growing community development.

“What I think needs to happen is the Government investing more and recognising the role that grassroots plays,” he says.

As rare breeds in their respective leadership roles, Mann and Whittaker clearly share an undeniable passion for actively building on the foundation of rugby league across Aotearoa.