The Samoan international netball team have arrived in Manchester ten days after their island home was devastated by a tsunami that affected 10,000 people, killing at least 142 people.
The Samoan team will take on England in the first game of The Co-operative World Netball Series at the M.E.N Arena tomorrow (Friday 9 October 2009). To raise money for the Samoa Tsunami Appeal, the British Red Cross will be collecting money at the tournament on Saturday and Sunday.
The British Red Cross has already given £148,000 to provide immediate relief items, like water, blankets, cooking pots and tarpaulins, and for longer-term recovery projects like providing safe water until damaged water supply systems are restored.
Mata Tuatagaloa, manager of the Samoan netball team, said:
“The Samoan Red Cross helped move people away from coastal areas as soon as the tsunami warning was issued and were immediately involved in the relief operation assisting those affected.
“We are most grateful for all the support we have received so far but more is needed. Any assistance would go a very long way.”
Nicola Moloney, The Co-operative World Netball Series event organiser, says:
“It is fantastic that the Samoan netball team are still able to take part this weekend. By having the Red Cross raise money for the tsunami appeal at the tournament, we hope to be able to help their communities affected back home in Samoa.”
The North West Development Agency (NDWA) has signed an agreement with the 15 island nations of Oceania to use the Northwest as they prepare for London 2012. We have already had swimmers from Fiji and Palau training in Liverpool prior to this year's World Championships in Rome.
Over the last couple of days representatives from the National Olympic Committees of Vanuatu, Palau, Tonga and the Marshall Islands were visiting a range of facilities in Liverpool, Preston, Crewe and Wigan to develop plans for their training programmes.
The NWDA expressed the region's regret and sadness at the events in the Asia Pacific Disaster and is encouraging regional partners to show their support. The NWDA is already fund raising amongst its own staff to make a donation to the British Red Cross appeal to benefit those affected in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.
