Return to Paradise Resort hosts Manu Samoa Sevens Boot Camp

28 September 2023: Manu Samoa Sevens are in the final stages of selection for the Oceania Championships in November.

As a part of this preparation, Head Coach, Muliagatele Brian Lima and the Management team held a boot camp at Return to Paradise Resort over the weekend.

“We are grateful for the support of Return to Paradise Resort,” says Team Manager Tuala Pat Leota, “This is a great place to prepare. We have had previous camps at the Resort, so yes, we wanted to come back – and the service was excellent,” said Tuala.

While the boot camp involved some intense training, a highlight was the participation of the Sevens Boys in the Saturday night Maeva Concert, where the boys thrilled other resort guests with their spirited Toa Siva.

General Manager Afamasaga Ramona Su’a Pale Gilchrist told the Sevens Boys that the whole Return to Paradise family is behind them all the way. “We know that Lakapi Samoa is struggling for funds in the aftermath of Covid-19, and so we wanted to support our boys,” said Afamasaga. “But after the Pandemic, so we simply could not afford to do this on our own.”

Samoa Sevens team surround General Manager Afamasaga Ramona Gilchrist after the Maeva concert.

Team Manager Tuala says the support for the team is a big boost to morale. A group of friends and supporters of the Resort got behind the Team and helped the Resort to fund the camp.

“Generous support was offered by Rowlen Financial Services, Samoa Commercial Bank, SMI, Western Union, Federal Pacific, Transam Samoa, CCK, Pacific Aluminium, and of course, Return to Paradise Resort,” said Tuala Leota.

“With the help of these great companies, we were able to hold the camp at no cost to Lakapi Samoa. On behalf of Lakapi Samoa, we are just so grateful to them, and of course to Return to Paradise Resort.”

Return to Paradise often hosts high profile sports teams and has been the Resort of choice for Toa Samoa for many years. The resort offers a team room, ice baths, spa pools, massage services, training video services and healthy menus specially designed for high performance athletes. Return to Paradise was also chosen as the destination for the Toa Samoa camp in December – January this year.

“The staff and I were honoured to receive a signed jersey from the team. We wish them all the best as they represent our nation, and their extended families,” says Afamasaga Ramona.

“We display the team’s signed jersey in our Reception area, and when the boys return with their families and friends, they will be able to show their signed names on this jersey with pride.”

Samoa Sevens prepare for their Siva Tau.