Pro rugby player holds clinics in schools

Former rugby pro player Mahonri Schwalger (back row, wearing cap) poses with Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School students after conducting a clinic last Monday. (Contributed Photo)

World Cup veteran Mahonri Schwalger of Samoa is on Saipan and has started a series of rugby clinics in various schools to help Northern Marianas Rugby Union boost its grassroots program.

“I knew that rugby was introduced here before and then people stopped playing. Now, it’s being revived and the best way to grow the sport is through schools. You start at the grassroots level,” said Schwalger, who played in pro leagues in New Zealand and Europe (Celtic League and Guinness Premiership) and suited up for the Samoa National Team on many occasions in both the Pacific Games and World Cup.

The 40-year-old athlete held clinics at the Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School and Tanapag Middle School last Monday and was scheduled to have similar event at the Chacha Oceanview Middle School yesterday. He introduced GTC and Tanapag students to flag rugby to teach them the basics of the sport.

“We did a lot of passing and running with the ball. They are super excited to play and love the contact part of the sport. That’s a good sign because you can tell that they are having fun,” the Apia native said.

NMRU president Stanley Iakopo and vice president Ed Arriola assisted Schwalger in conducting the clinics and the group thanked the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, the Division of Youth Services, and the three schools for allowing them to visit and introduce the sport to the students.

“Rugby would like to join the community in its efforts to keep our kids active through sports,” said Iakopo, whose group is holding a flag rugby tournament for elementary and middle school students this Saturday at the CPA Airport Field.

Scholarship, contract opportunities
Schwalger retired in 2014 after playing rugby for 15 years and is now focusing on training and recruiting players through his Rugby Academy Samoa.

“We have around 150 players, with 35 of them in the elite level. We also have U13, U16, and other age group players in the pool,” said the former Samoa World Cup team captain.

“We also recruit players in Fiji, Tonga, and other regions and hoping to do the same in the CNMI,” Schwalger.

The Super Rugby (premier league in New Zealand) veteran saw a lot of potential talents in the Commonwealth and if they will continue to work hard, play, and improve, his academy will be there to help CNMI players compete in high-level tournaments.

“I could hook them up with schools or clubs off-island. Not everyone will have the chance to play for the national team and turn pro right away. So, in Samoa, what we do is help talented players get scholarships from universities and contracts with clubs overseas,” said Schwalger, whose ties with international teams and colleges made it possible for other Pacific players to get opportunities to play.

Samoa A and U20 player Iosefatu Mareko was an alumnus of Schwalger’s academy and the former is currently in Japan on a four-year collegiate scholarship. Other scholarship and contract offers come from New Zealand and Europe, particularly from France.

“We are very fortunate that a legendary player like Schwalger visited us to share his skills and experience to our players. His academy will open a pathway to our players, who one day may want to play in college and in the pro ranks,” Iakopo said.