While the Mate Maa Tonga side was in their home country, Parramatta Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi was given special permission to travel to his hometown, the Vavau Islands, to visit the schools competing in a special rugby league tournament.
More than 200 kids from 12 different schools competed, with GPS Neiafu winning the trophy on the day.
Craig Macleod, Football Administrator at Cabramatta Leagues Club began the competition three years ago, with the best on ground winning the Fuifui Moimoi Medal.
This is the first year that Fuis been able to come; he was in Tonga [with the World Cup side] so he hopped on a plane from the mainland and came across to spend the day with the kids, Macleod said.
They went berserk - hes a local hero and the main man from Vavau whos hit the big time that everyone looks up to.
He was like a rockstar arriving as his brother drove him onto the field, with the kids chanting his name and swamping him to touch him or shake his hand!
This years Fuifui Moimoi Medallist was Alani Malani, pictured above.
From humble beginnings with four teams in 2011, next year Macleod says the competition is looking to expand again to include 16 local primary schools.
We were in the official box and I tapped Fui on the shoulder and asked if it brought bring back memories - and then a pig walked across the field! Macleod said.
He was in stitches laughing, and was very excited to see the kids play.
Congratulations to GPS Neiafu and Alani for winning their awards on the day - we look forward to next year being even bigger and better!
More than 200 kids from 12 different schools competed, with GPS Neiafu winning the trophy on the day.
Craig Macleod, Football Administrator at Cabramatta Leagues Club began the competition three years ago, with the best on ground winning the Fuifui Moimoi Medal.
This is the first year that Fuis been able to come; he was in Tonga [with the World Cup side] so he hopped on a plane from the mainland and came across to spend the day with the kids, Macleod said.
They went berserk - hes a local hero and the main man from Vavau whos hit the big time that everyone looks up to.
He was like a rockstar arriving as his brother drove him onto the field, with the kids chanting his name and swamping him to touch him or shake his hand!
This years Fuifui Moimoi Medallist was Alani Malani, pictured above.
From humble beginnings with four teams in 2011, next year Macleod says the competition is looking to expand again to include 16 local primary schools.
We were in the official box and I tapped Fui on the shoulder and asked if it brought bring back memories - and then a pig walked across the field! Macleod said.
He was in stitches laughing, and was very excited to see the kids play.
Congratulations to GPS Neiafu and Alani for winning their awards on the day - we look forward to next year being even bigger and better!
