Triple M and Reds announce the FIA FIA RUGBY FESTIVAL for the Samoan Tsunami Relief
Triple M’s The Cage was so touched by the Samoan tsunami disaster after talking to local Samoan, Miss Jayne Pilia’e during their breakfast show earlier this week that they have taken very real action, and, driven by Marto’s rugby background and the fact that rugby is part of the Samoan culture, have announced the Fia Fia Rugby Festival, set for Saturday October 17 at Ballymore.
Fia Fia is the Samoan word for “happy”.
“Marto struck gold with his suggestion of an exhibition rugby match, knowing only too well that rugby is like a religion in Samoa. The idea of Triple M’s Fia Fia Rugby Festival emerged when we spoke with Miss Pilia’e, involving the local Samoan community, and tapping into a grass-roots love for the game,” said The Cage’s Ian Skippen.
It took only a few phone calls to set the ball in motion so to speak. The QR Reds jumped on board immediately and Marto is now recruiting a lineup of his former Wallaby mates and celebs prepared to pull on the boots and play ball.
The festival will start at 4pm at Ballymore with two main games – the Triple M Fia Fia Celebrity Footy Cup at 6.30pm starring current and Vintage Queensland Reds players plus some surprise names; and the feature game, the Premier Club Barbarians V Brisbane Samoa Match at 7.40pm.
The Triple M Fia Fia Celebrity Footy Cup will see the Red Team, named Savaii, up against the Blue Team, named Upolu. The teams have been named after the two main Samoan Islands, and were coined by Triple M listeners.
Already names locked in to play in this match include former rugby greats Pat Howard, Rod McCall, Anthony Herbert, Mark Anderson, Brendan Cannon and Andrew Heath as well as QR Reds players Quade Cooper, Morgan Turinui and Leroy Houston. This morning former league great Ben Ikin put his hand up (now with the Gold Coast Titans) and of course Marto will also boot up!
Before the action on the field starts, there will be performances by the local Samoan community of traditional dances and songs.
Triple M will broadcast live from Ballymore, with some free fun for the kids as well as raffles and more. Marto is also calling on game-goers to bring in pre-loved rugby gear, including balls, to be sent to Samoa.
Entry to the festival is a gold coin donation, and there are ‘Corporate Boxes’ available, each stocked with an esky of drinks for $400 for an 8-seater; $500 for a 10 seater; and $600 for a 12 seater. That’s only $50 each and a perfect excuse for a group of friends to get together and enjoy an amazing evening of entertainment for an amazing cause. The event is also looking for more sponsors to come on board.
What: Triple M’s Fia Fia Rugby Festival at Ballymore, Herston
Date: Saturday 17th October
Time:
3.30pm Car Park Opens
4.00pm Gates Open
6.00pm Live music performance
6.30pm Triple M Celebrity Fia Fia Footy Cup
7.05pm Full time
7.10pm Marto’s Entertainment segment
7.30pm Moment’s Silence, followed by Samoan “Manu” (Traditional Challenge)
7.40pm Premier Club Barbarians V Brisbane Samoa Match
8.15pm Half time – Samoan dancers
9.10pm Full time, festival ends
See more at triplem.com.au
