2014

KAPI-MANA NEWS, DECEMBER 2, 2014 pg 67

Brandon win Cup

Triumphant: The Brandon Intermediate rugby league team, unbeaten in the Paul Rauhihi Cup this year.

Paul Rauhihi would have been proud of Brandon Intermediate’s performances this year. The prop forward from Porirua played for Melbourne Storm, Warrington Wolves and 17 times for the Kiwis.

He has a trophy named for him that is played for among the eastern Porirua schools. This year was the second year of the competition.

After pool play, Brandon and Titahi Bay came out on top. Rangikura School unfortunately withdrew, meaning Brandon were put straight into a semifinal with Tairangi.

Brandon won the match convincingly, 24- 8, and they met Bishop Viard in the Paul Rauhihi Cup final.

The match, played three weeks ago, was in front of a good crowd on Brandon’s field.

The home side dominated the opening period and took a 16-0 lead into the break.

Bishop Viard never gave up but ran out of time and Brandon were crowned Cup winners with a 22-14 victory.

Windley beat Postgate 16-14 in the plate final.

Brandon captain Taupe Fa’avae, the side’s playmaker, said good game plans and teamwork were the keys to their unbeaten run in the competition.

‘‘We defended really well,’’ he said.

‘‘ Everyone knows each other and we all wanted to play well and win.’’

Fa’avae’s coach Jonathan Viliamu said the team had a strong leadership group, who helped the younger players.

The team prepared very well, he said.

‘‘Most of these guys play flag, rugby and other sports together, so my focus was just on the game plans, skills and fitness. It all came together nicely,’’ he said.

‘‘They had a motto of ‘if you fail to prepare, you’re preparing to fail’, right from the start.’’

KAPI-MANA NEWS, NOVEMBER 25, 2014 pg 25

Determination wins

About the bass: Place Valuez rhythm section, from left, Sefa Fomai, Onehunga Faivalu, Falaniko Fomai and
Paul Muliaga.

By RHIANNON McCONNELL

They came, they sang, they conquered - Brandon Intermediate has won Wellington Intermediate Battle of

the Bands for the first time.

Music mentor Jonathan Viliamu said that after the school came second last year, the band, Place Valuez, had

worked hard.

"We had an email from the organisers saying we had raised the bar."

"To hear that was awesome. It was just amazing for the kids," he said.

Place Values saxophone player and year 7 pupil Erana Tamaiva said she was speechless when they won - "It

was overwhelming," she said.

Erana has played saxophone for less than a year, but said she picked it up quickly.

The band beat 28 other schools with their performances of Amy Winehouse's Valerie and Love Never Felt So

Good by Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake.

As winners, Brandon will host the event next year.

Musical ear: The band's horn section, from left, Faagi Tiata, Debbie Brown, Billie-Jean Teokotai, Erana
Tamaiva and Angel Williams.

Talented singers hope

to go places

Singing sensation: Le Art vocalists Anastasia Sirila, left, and Tiresa Fomai sung, and Annastasia Seiuli is in
the band.

Photos: RHIANNON McCONNELL

It's all about the music for two of Place Valuez lead singers who are also in rising vocal group Le Art.

The group - Anastasia Sirila and Tiresa Fomai and Porirua College students Roseta Lopa and Filipo Foma'i -

made a big impact at the recent Porirua Sports Awards and were asked to sing at the Wellington awards as

well.

After a big 2013, including opening for Brandon Intermediate old girl Aaradhna and singing at the Youth

Awards in Parliament, the girls have started songwriting. This year they have performed at Positively Pasifika Festival, CreekFest, and The Cancer Society Relay for Life.

While they have a taste for pop, it's "old school" they really like, thanks to their music mentor Jonathan

Viliamu.

He played the group musicians like Sam Cooke and Michael Jackson, which got them hooked.

Viliamu noticed their talent the first time he heard them together.

"When I hear them sing together, I thought, 'Man we have something special here'," he said.

"They just keep improving every time."

Year 8 pupil Anastasia, 13, said the big dream was to enter TV competitions like X Factor.

Le Art is managed by Tracy O'Hare.