Howeverwhen you takea closer look, the stories you
findwill simplyopen yourmind to awholedifferent
perspective.
EDDIE’SDREAM
One of these tales involves LondonWelsh’s 33-year-old prop,
EddieAholelei, who joined the club in July last year.
With Eddie’s rugby career edging closer to the finish than
the start, he’s embarked on amission to open a youth centre
inhis native Tonga over the next three to five years.
“Unfortunately back in Tonga, some of the kids don’t have
that guidance or direction provided for them and often find
themselves in a bit of trouble.
“My dream is to open a placewhere the kids can come to
chill out, play pool, workout andbasically enjoy themselves in
a safe and controlled environment.”
STRIVING FOR EXPERIENCE
With this inmind, Eddie has sought the support of his RPA
Player DevelopmentManager, CarolineGuthrie, to look at
gaining some experience in the area.
“I floated the ideawithCaroline and shewas really keen
tohelpme find somework experience at a youth centre
somewhere in London.
“Shewas fantastic and set up a visit to the local centre,
WhittonYouth Zone, tohave a look around and speak to the
staff about what opening a centre like this actually involves.
“We spent around an hour at the centre and to be honest
it’smademe evenmore driven to openmy very own in
Tonga.”
With his vision starting to become a reality, Eddie is
working closelywithCaroline to source centres around London
which could potentially offer work experience and help him
step even closer tohis dream.
“It’s brilliant to have the support of the RPA and especially
Caroline, becausewithout them I seriouslywouldn’t know
where to look or where to start.
“If I can organise spending a day aweek at a youth centre,
coming in after training, I think that will equipmewith the
skills required to venture into opening something ofmy own.
“Above all else though, it will just be great to hang out
with the kids andhelp them find their passion for something,
something that will make themwant to succeed in life.”
For Eddie succeeding in life has been all about his rugby
andmaking sure he provides for his family back inAustralia.
Born inNew Zealand, Eddiemoved to Sydney as a
teenager and has been playing rugby ever since.
“Rugby has always been special tome, it’s something that
allowsme to switch off from life and get onwith something
that I really enjoy.”
MAKING THE SACRIFICE
For Eddie, switching off is the thing that powers him to
succeed and has resulted in successful rugby stintswith the
Melbourne Rebels andhis national team, Tonga.
However when it comes to the notion of sacrifice,
Eddie knows all toowell the dedication, commitment and
determination needed to leave your family at home and travel
to play rugby on the other side of theworld.
“I came over to theUK last year, leaving behindmy five
kids inAustralia and all my family and friends.”
“It’s definitely been the hardest thing I have ever had
to do and I miss them all somuch, but it’s something that
I needed to do.
“My job as their father is to provide for them andmake
sure they grow up in a safe environment andwith the support
needed to thrive inwhatever theywant to do.”
It’s been this sense of leadership that has propelled
Eddie into this next challenge, a challenge that he is positive
will succeed.
It’s oftenassumed that professional sportsmen and
womendon’t oftenhave to face the same sacrifices
andhardships thatmost face in their everyday lives.
EddiesYouthCentreDream
THE
Asan Italianrugby
playeryou’renumber
onegoal isalwaysto
representyourcountry
andmakeyourfamilyand
friendsproud
EddieAholelei
carlo Festuccia
It’sbrillianttohave
thesupportofTheRPA
withoutthem Iwouldn’t
knowwheretostart
It was amove aimed to increase his already impressive rugby pedigree and
follow an elite group of Italian players starting tomake themove over to the
Aviva Premiership.
Eight Italian players are currently signed up as RPAMembers, but
Carlo is confidentmore andmoreAzzurri playerswill startmaking themove.
“As an Italian rugby player you’re number one goal is always to
represent your country andmake your family and friends proud, but I think the
appeal of theAviva Premiership is really starting to grow among the guys.
“It’s a fantastic competition, with a really supportive and understanding
Players’ Association in the RPA, who are always there to help out and help
smooth the transition.”
For Carlo, the transition has been slightly harder than expected, with the
different professional approach andmentality in English rugby, one area in particular
that he’s found difficult.
However thanks to the support from his RPA Player DevelopmentManager,
BenMcGregor, life in England is starting to blossom.
“The thing I like about the RPA, is that nomatter the situation or
whatever youmaywant to do, they’re always there to back you and help in
whatever way they can.
“That’s been the case forme, I came over with an openmind and
while I have found some areas ofmy transition harder than others, it’s been
great to have someone like Benwho I can always chat to.
“He’s a nice, friendly and approachable guywho symbolises the
great work the RPA does for all theirmembers.”
At 33, Carlo has recently signed a new contract withWasps and
admits he’s excited about continuing his life in theUK.
“It’s great to have another year at the club, especiallywith howwell we’ve been
playing andwith themove to the RicohArena, the club’s in a really good place.
“Forme, London life is very similar to life in Paris, where I’ve spent a lot ofmy
time, it’s very cold and the people are easy and friendly to get onwith.”
“Not tomention, the guys I playwith atWasps, they’re determined,
professional and are always keen for a laugh after a hard session on the pitch.”
It’s this banter that’s seen the 54-test-capped Italian, thrive in numerous rugby
environments throughout his career with stints at L’Aquila Rugby, GranDucato
Parma Rugby, RacingMetro, Crociati Rugby and Zebre.
However despite his extreme rugby experience, Carlo iswell aware
about planning ahead to the future and a life away from the game.
“Duringmy spell with Parma Rugby in Italy, I purchased two properties, one that
I lived in duringmy time at the club and another that I have been renting out.
“My aim is to renovate these properties, bring them up to speed and then
hopefully openmy very own bed and breakfast.
“It would be the perfect job and one that I would really enjoy and take on as a
big project formy life after rugby.”
Carlowill seek the support of his Player DevelopmentManager, BenMcGregor,
to help find some suitablework experience in the area.
“I will have a chat with Ben and hopefully find somework experience in either
the property or hospitality sector.
“He’s fantasticwhen it comes to things like that andwill definitelywork hard to
organise somethingwhichwill help pushme in the right direction.”
PLANNING FORTHE FUTURE
ANEWDEAL
In the summer of 2013, Carlo Festuccia took a leapof faith
and left his homelandand Italian club, Zebre, to tryhis
hand inEnglandandpull onaWasps shirt.
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