Pacific Tag Cup kickstarts summer sports season for youngsters

Hundreds of passionate players aged from under 6 to 16 are lacing up their boots for the first Pacific Tag Cup in Māngere this weekend.

Eleven countries will be represented at House Park from Friday, 29 November, to Sunday, 1 December.

Tongan National Tag Association New Zealand member Sylvia Pauuvale is looking forward to seeing the players get on the field.

“It’s awesome! Tag is one of those sports that during summer it’s really good to kick off and take part in. We are competing with other sports like rugby and rugby league, their seasons have finished put pre-season is kicking off as well.”

Speaking on PMN Tonga, Pauuvale said that tournaments like these keep children active now that the regular sporting season is over for the youngsters.

“But the good thing is that tag, the skills, and learning does feed into those sports as well. So summer is always really exciting for the tag.”

Youngsters representing Tokelau at Friday's opening ceremony. Photo/Pacific Tag Federation Incorporated.

The tournament has been running for several years, and Pauuvale said it has grown in capacity, inviting nations like the Solomon Islands, Tokelau, and Hawaii to compete.

She said Tonga would welcome more backing from financial partners.

“Any support is always good, especially for the smaller ones, but for future Pacific tournaments, some sponsorship or anything would help.

“Coaches and managers as well, they play a huge part in our team and bringing their kids.

"We’ve (Tonga) got nine teams competing in the Pacific Cup, but we’d love more teams to compete in the future.

“The more teams we have means, the more of our kids get to be active.”

Find the full draw of the tournament: Pacific Tag Junior - Home

Find more information about the tournament: Pacific Tag Cup

Team Samoa during the opening ceremony. Photo/ Pacific Tag Federation Incorporated.