MATTHEW VAEA

19 October 1999

Talofa Jeb

Finally made the time to send you my brief history since Leifi'ifi Intermediate 1980. Here goes:

1980 Left L.Intermediate to take up scholarship at Wanganui Collegiate School, NZ from 80 - 84.
1985-86 Started Commercial Lawyer Diploma at Unitech Wellington / Victoria University while working as banker in Wgtn.
Late 86 Received offer to play rugby in Milan, Italy.,took the offer, comm.lawyer diploma cancelled.
(During this time I was just starting the rugby career with usual Wgtn Colts, Wgtn Provincial A's)
1987 Returned to Wgtn, reassumed work as banker.
1988 Broke right knee while palying for Wgtn A and sidelined for 6 mths, continued working aa banker.
1989 Recevievd 2nd offer to play rugby in Brescia, Northern Italy.
1990(late) Returned to Samoa from Italy after travelling Canada & Fiji, to play for Marist RFC & took up a working post at Samoa Visitors Bureau, doing a visitor survey for 6 mths approx.
1990 Toured UK & France with Samoan Barbarians.
1991 Returneed and worked in Samoa & basically trained to qualify for 91 world cup squad.
9/91 W.Cup announced to tour NZ & prepare for W.Cup. Samoa Fundraising Campaign, ran length of Upolu & Pago!!
10/91 Ended world cup with popular Manu Samoa taking in some high media & rugby accreditation, rest is history.
1992 Selected for World Rugby XV with Fats & Apollo Perelini. (I was replacing Nick Farr-Jones who had some injury) Played All Blacks in 3 tests, beat them in 1st, lost 2.
Rest of 92-93-94 continued playing club rugby & worked in North Harbour as well as returning to Samoa for Manu Samoa commitments.

During 1992, toured Malaysia with Marists 10's team
During 1994, toured Taiwan with Marists 7's team

1994 Toured South Africa with Manu Samoa, met the great Muhammed Ali.
1995 Stared own business in Sports & Goods wholesaling in North Shore.
End 1995 Toured UK with Manu Samoa, afetr missing selection for W.Cup with knee problems.

1996-97 Continued business until 4/97 applied & won position as business mgr for Family Life Education Services, Otahuhu, Akld. A Sexual Health Support & Education public service iniated by Jenny Shipley designed & targetted at Pacific Island community.

8/98 Resigned from F.L.E.P to take up new 3 yr contract as headcoach of Rovato Rugby Club, Brescia, Italia.

During 1993-94-95-96 I played & co-coached Helensville RFC, Seniors, Nth Harbour.
During 1997-98 I co-coached & played for North Shore RFC Snrs, Nth Harbour.
During 1991-92-93-94 played games for Nth Harbour Privincial Team A
1996 Completed all NZRFU Coaxhing Levels 1,2,3 (qualifies you to coach anywhere worldwide.

1999-2003 Looks like I am based here in Italia but I intend to return Samoa to carry on a business project in tourism which my partners & I have initiated in 98 at Aleisa, Samoa.

All the best, soifua.
Ciao

Matt Vaea