Denver
Harlequins coach David Lausa is supportive of the Gladiators effort after their
meeting in September: “The experience we had hosting the
SLC Gladiators was a very positive one. We played a hard match that was
contested to the final whistle.” As to the post-match aspect Lausa informs, “(The
Gladiators) were sportsmen and gentlemen throughout the match and our players
enjoyed a collegial goodwill despite a fierce match. After the game we had a
great social gathering with food and singing. They are begging us to come over
and play a social match in their town and have offered to meet us in GJ (Grand
Junction, CO) to make the possibility more likely. We are definitely scheduling
that match. I recommend they be admitted to the league based on our recent
experience.”
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Fuatogi and family |
Lofi Fuatogi is the Gladiator’s head
coach and prime motivator. The Fort Hood, Texas native slots in at flyhalf as
well for the XV that is quietly making inroads into our union, though the
Gladiators have yet to obtain recognition by and approval of their hoped-for
entry into the league.
Fuatogi
began his rugby as a ten year old on the playground where, “my friends and I
would kick the ball around during lunch break at school.” From there he went on
to play for a number of teams including Hawaii Islanders and Parramatta Two
Blues RFC (Sydney, AUS). Mr. Fuatogi also earned national placement for Samoa on
its U17, U19 and U21 sides as well as Samoa A, qualifying for Manu Samoa
through relations. The energetic three-quarterline player also features at
first five-eighths and fullback.
Gladiators
hold mandatory training sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays in addition to optional
Wednesday practice. Thus far the recruiting program has consisted of contacts
from SLC Gladiators Facebook and word of mouth. The club’s inaugural
match was a victory over Denver Harlequins, 24-17, at the Quins home ground at
Cook Park, Denver. Salt Lake is looking for matches to fill out its fall and
spring 2016 schedule and can be contacted via email or on
the Facebook page.
“One of our goals moving forward is
to establish rugby relations with one or more of the youth programs in the Salt
Lake area,” which would be in the form of both skills and coaching clinics
Fuatogi reports, as the Gladiators well understand an emergent academy
structure is a crucial ingredient for the success and longevity of rugby
organizations in the 21st century.
The versatile Fuatogi, who moved to
Utah in 2012, is also a certified referee and has officiated summertime matches
in the Beehive State. He feels, “The referee is critically important and plays a major role in any rugby
match; you have to know the rules of the game to officiate and you also must maintain
your fitness level and take control of matches from the first whistle.” Tasi
Toala is at the top of the chart as a Utah field magistrate and Fuatogi reports,
“he (Toala) comes in now and then to help the players better understand the
rules and how he sees them implemented during the game. Toala also updates
us with any rule changes.”
SLC Gladiators have a number of
players on the club’s ascendancy chart Fuatogi reckons, “have the potential to
make it to the next level given the opportunity, with dedication and hard work:
wing Felise Enoka, who also plays in the centers, is a strong ball carrier with wheels to burn; Junior
Feaunati is a utility back who can be slotted in at any position…
very hungry to learn every position and a very disciplined kid; Maka Palu is a
gifted flyhalf… he reads the game well and is composed under pressure… Maka has
a good kicking game and dictates the action very well; Paulo Anani is
an aggressive blind side flanker, he’s very strong in his upper body and has
speed as well to get to the breakdowns; Andrew Pahulu is a solid #8… he will give you
everything you ask for at his position and always lead by example to
name a few.” Fuatogi adds: “There’s
a lot of players here in Utah to mention;
hopefully their hard work and dedication will pay off, and (they will) become even
better rugby players in the future.”
The club’s mission statement is direct yet elegantly
expressed: “To provide a fun, safe, enjoyable environment that encourages all
participants to reach their full potential no matter what their aspirations may
be… our success will be measured by the pride our members take in the club and
the role models we produce within our community, we champion attitude over
ability and we believe any player can be great.”
The earnest
and likable Gladiators chief is well aware that behavior contrary to the spirit
of rugby has occurred in the past and he is determined that will not be a part
of Salt Lake City’s style: “… it all comes down to leadership, (we) address and
emphasize the important of discipline on and off the field… as leaders and role
models, we need to lead by example. As a coach, I make certain players are
mentally and physically prepared for the game and that they conduct themselves
in a manner true to the spirit of rugby.”
With the Gladiators road victory and formative success, the
team has shown that they are both willing to travel and that they can be
competitive on that road. It is hoped that with the organization’s commitment
to our game that they can obtain a provisional appointment to the union that
will provide them with a match schedule and regional GRU (Geographic Rugby
Union) sanction. “Salt Lake City Gladiators will do whatever it takes to help
out the young players get recognized for their talent and strengthen rugby in
the United States,”.
Salt Lake City Gladiators
rugby Club, though in its infancy just now, counts a number of seasoned
veterans on its roster whom Fuatogi can rely on for instructional assistance as
well as inslotting as replacements: “Guys like Mau Sione, Toetu Tunuufi and Sa
Palepoi help coach the boys… they are all great rugby players and are
well-respected by the players. If we have injuries or not enough players, they
always come out of retirement and help the team any way possible.” Furthermore,
Coach Fuatogi acknowledges the work of “Joe Roberts, Eugene Tukumoeatu and
Moresby Tauiautusa with the admin side of the club,” and states those men’s
contributions are invaluable as they, “help out finding sponsors and organize
fundraising so that the players can be supported on the road games. Lastly,
everyone affiliated with Salt Lake city Gladiators has contributed in many
different ways so that the club survives and moves forward; and I would like to thank each and every one
of them for the support they have demonstrated, not forgetting family, friends
and increasingly, followers of the team here in Utah and other states.”
SLC Gladiators homeground:
Southridge Park
5075 S 4000 W
Kearns,
UT 84129
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