The former Manu Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger believes his rugby academy in Apia could work in other countries to help more Pacific players become professional.
The Rugby Academy Samoa was formed six months ago and already has more than 200 players involved up to the age of 24.
Schwalger says the aim is for players to earn contracts and scholarships at schools and clubs overseas, and thinks the model could work in other Pacific countries too.
"I believe and what I heard as well [is] we've got teams from Europe - Toulon, Toulouse and Clermont - they all went over to Fiji and started an academy. They're trying to feed these players over to Europe. This is what we needed in the islands and especially countries like Samoa, Fiji and Tonga - they don't have the resources to compete with bigger teams - so they rely on these big clubs and big unions outside of the islands to come in and start something like this".
Mahronri Schwalger says the aim of his academy is to give players the chance to make a career for themselves in rugby and hopefully if they do they will come back and represent Samoa.
Former Manu Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger taking a scrum session at the Rugby Academy of Samoa. Photo: Rugby Academy Samoa
