We are excited to share with you here on our official Tupulaga o Aotearoa blog! The games have been a huge success with one more day to go! Our brothers and sisters from the Sisifo Matagaluega have done a splendid job.
Fellowship via the sports has been magnificent. Wherever you look there have been smiling faces, reunions of friends and family they have been apart for way too long. Everyone we have asked about these games have only responded with hugely positive support for this event.
The reintroduction of PIPC Taaloga is an answer to many prayers of the Tupulaga, their families, their Komiti, their leader at the time Fualole Lealiifano and her colleagues such as Rev. Makesi.
For a good number of years the Tupulaga report to the Fono tele has highlighted at top priority the need of these sports tournaments to return. This includes the need for professional development of our leaders via conference specifically aimed at leadership for Tupulaga. It was often put aside for further discussion. It was this desire of the Tupulaga and Autalavou that led Matu in previous years to run a tournament that was hugely appreciated by those who took part.
The great news is - both these issues have been given the official go ahead at our most recent Fono hosted at Ranui PIPC 2012. Thanks to the Sisifo Komiti who have taken the lead and run this year's games. You have been awesome!
So here we are - a great big tick for the games. The next to check off will be our Tupulaga Conference that will be held in April - 25th - 27th 2013. This will be at Wesley College. It is for Tupulaga and their leaders aged 15 years and older. The cost will be $70.
As support to our Sisifo hosts of this year's games, please leave your feedback here for them to see. If you prefer you are welcome to email your feedback privately to tupulagapipc@gmail.com. We will pass your feedback onto this years Taaloga Komiti.
God's blessings be upon us all as we continue to walk and set out paths for our precious Tupulaga/Autalavou of today and tomorrow.
Andrea Tele'a on behalf of the Tupulaga Komiti NZ
We will be posting photo and video highlights on this blog soon, watch this space!
Talofa everyone. I have been at the games for the last two days. This is what I've enjoyed:
ReplyDelete1. Seeing everyone again since Fono Samoa
2. Tag was cool!
3. Watching the tug of war and sack races was hilarious, lots of fun
4. Moving our tent out of the way of the tag fields - great teamwork!
5. A lot of laughing and relaxing moments
6. Good food and good company
I loved the three days prepared for us by the Sisifo group of leaders. It was such a blessed event to be part of. My children who have never been part of church games enjoyed themselves - thanks to the loving and welcoming lot at Newton :) I thought the shorter Kirikiti games, 12 players, one end bowling, 50 balls was perfect with the groups being small this time around. I don't think I could have managed anything longer too - bit on the unfit side lol! The tug of war and sack races were a huge hit! Whether participating or spectating - it was so much fun! Tag - aren't our youth amazing! Even more so the adults in the open teams! We have some up and coming stars in our midst PIC! The volleyball was a lot of fun. Awesome to sit in gym and watch the finals - talk about entertainment! The prize giving was lovely to witness, so neat to have our mums presenting the trophies. Extra special to have Tina Rosalina Sio there and present awards.
ReplyDeleteThese games have added to the lives of many over so many years. Pray that it will be fostered and developed back into the heart of our Samoan sector of the church where it's been sorely missed. Toe Afua. Time for New Beginnings!
God bless everyone!
Andrea Tele'a
The games were awesome, well organised. Good job guys. Just a feedback regarding outsiders filling in. I think that we should have a limit on outsiders. Opinions were expressed, making some of the tupulaga feel intimidated as they are there to have fun but it felt toooo serious. I know there were our brothers and sisters from other PIC churches filling which is fine, its awesome to have them back. It is out of their control that their youth is not joining,so it is good to see them fill in for other youth groups. At the end of the day its about fellowship and having fun. Dont want the tupulaga to feel intimidated or push them away. Thats my feedback. Besides all that its awesome to see everyone there. Looking forward to the next one. God bless
ReplyDeleteHi there above commenter :) Great to read your feedback. I agree that with you that even greater from the games is the fellowship and fun we all get from these events. You're right that some of our PIC would not have been able to front teams without the assistance of connections with family and friends who typically do not worship at a PIC.
ReplyDeleteHistorically we've always had friends and family who do not typically worship in PIC rounds join us for games. Many of these people if not already grow into being very loyal and loving friends to the PIC church. Some end up joining :) You will not have to look to far to come across a person who's connected to us via the games.
In regards to the feeling of being intimidated - a good point to make. At our meetings locally - individual parishes for the next games - we can make sure that we set the tone correctly in ensuring none of kids feel intimidated as you've expressed. Our blessed church has produced many fine sporting talents - the competition and standard set back in the day of our games would have contributed to their sporting success.
Heaps of positive talk from us the leaders about sports and all it brings will also build up our youth to be resilient and cope with the great standard of sport that we alongside our supportive friends and family from outside the PIC bring to the games. Another way to look at it - games is like a dragnet - it's a time to catch a whole heap of people, some stay and some go - work of the Lord in action even in our games! Including the new and building up the old too. Thanks for reminding us of the need to keep looking out for our Youth too. God bless you for sharing and starting this neat discussion.
PS: re Menz Kirikiti - actually the Winners for Mens Cricket was Avondale but thanx for the mention - Manix really really appreciate it lol.. yes same colours/uniform (excluding numbers on the back coz we're good at counting ahahahaha) but hey we're still ONE family (regardless of denomination/association) and at the end of the day it was an awesome fun time once the games got started! - Pei
ReplyDelete