American Samoa Rugby Union Strengthens Regional Ties at Oceania Rugby Growth Conference
- Kristin Richeimer
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nadi, Fiji — July 22, 2026 - The Amerika Samoa Rugby Union (ASRU) joined rugby development leaders from across the Pacific at the 2026 Oceania Rugby Growth Conference, held July 16–17 at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi, Fiji. ASRU Executive Secretary Maluilelagi Daniel Tuala-Tamaalelagi and Rugby Development Officer Kristin Richeimer traveled to Fiji on behalf of American Samoa, joining representatives from unions including Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Nauru to share ideas and align on the shared work of growing rugby across the region. Each growth union was able to provide a brief update on opportunities and challenges in their respective unions, and Kristin Richeimer presented on behalf of the ASRU.
Representatives from Tier 1 Oceania Rugby member unions, including Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji also shared data and presentations of current events, future initiatives, and what’s working well in their unions and communities.
Now in its second year, the conference brought together emerging member unions with Oceania Rugby and World Rugby to trade practical tools, build regional connections, and strengthen sustainable rugby development. Sessions over the two days covered World Rugby development programs, the Impact Beyond Pasifika initiative, sport for development, marketing and commercial growth, communications, and competition delivery. Delegates also discussed common priorities that ASRU shares with its neighbors: building age-grade participation, strengthening women’s and girls’ rugby, safeguarding, developing coaches, match officials, and medical personnel, and growing domestic and regional competition pathways.
For American Samoa, high value was in the relationships as well as the content. "Being in the room with our fellow Oceania unions is a reminder of our shared missions for the growth of rugby," said Richeimer, who also serves as Co-Chair of the American Samoa Rugby Mo Le Lumana’i Foundation (ASRLF). "These relationships open doors to initiatives, funding, and development support that American Samoa can put to work, and they let us learn from unions facing the same realities we do. Whether it's grassroots participation or our high performance pathways, we're stronger when we share what works and support each other."
Tuala-Tamaalelagi pointed to the region's youth development work as the biggest takeaway. "What stood out to me was seeing what other Pacific island nations have built from the ground up in their grassroots programs," he said. "Their success shows what's possible for our young people in American Samoa. Youth development is critical to support our young athletes and to our future player pathways. This conference gave us both practical ideas and the motivation to invest in the next generation."
American Samoa also benefited from a donation of Size 4 rugby balls from World Rugby and Gilbert, equipment that will directly support ASRU's youth development efforts back home.
ASRU President Moli Lemana said the trip reflected the union's commitment to its place in the regional rugby family. "ASRU is pleased to be represented by our Executive Secretary and Development Officer at the conference in Fiji," Lemana said. "The connections and knowledge they bring home will strengthen every part of our program, from the village to the national teams. We thank Oceania Rugby and World Rugby for their continued support of unions like ours."
Following the conference, Tuala-Tamaalelagi and other conference participants stayed to watch matches at Churchill Park in Laotoka, Fiji, Womens Fijian Drua Vs Queensland Red SWYFTX Women’s Super Rugby Semi Finals. Richeimer traveled from Fiji to Long Beach, California, for the third 2026 men's and women's 7s Player Identification Camp, run by the ASRLF, continuing the ongoing effort to identify and develop American Samoa-eligible talent both on-island and in the United States.
ASRU extends its thanks to Oceania Rugby for a well-organized conference, and to the sponsors and partners in Fiji for their warm hospitality throughout the event.
About the Amerika Samoa Rugby Union The Amerika Samoa Rugby Union (ASRU) is the national governing body for rugby in American Samoa, responsible for grassroots development, club men’s & women's rugby, coach and referee training, and the men's and women's national teams. ASRU is a member union of the American Samoa National Olympic Committee, Oceania Rugby and World Rugby. For more information: ASRU Facebook Page
About the American Samoa Rugby Mo Le Lumana’i Foundation The American Samoa Rugby Mo Le Lumana'i Foundation (ASRLF) is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports rugby development for players in and connected to American Samoa. Its name draws on the Samoan phrase "Mo le Lumana'i," meaning "for the future," and its work centers on both grassroots development and high performance support for the American Samoa national 7s teams. Learn more at lumanairugby.org.
Media Contact Kristin Richeimer, CAE ASRU Rugby Development Officer ASRLF Co-Chair & Treasurer
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