Lakapi Samoa is excited to confirm the appointment of Filoi Fatima Eneliko as the new Head Coach of the Manusina Sevens team for the upcoming Oceania 7s in December 2024.

Filoi Eneliko’s appointment comes after a thorough recommendation from the Review Panel of the Manusina 7s Olympic Qualifier, which was then endorsed by the Lakapi Samoa Board during its November meeting.

“We are thrilled to announce Filoi’s appointment to lead our Manusina Sevens team at the Oceania 7s 2024. We have full confidence in her leadership as she guides the team towards securing a spot in the Challenger Series 2025.” stated Faleomavaega.

Filoi’s appointment follows the Manusina 7s’ recent setback in their attempt to qualify for the Paris Olympics. She has been specifically selected as Head Coach for the Oceania 7s 2024. After the tournament, a performance review panel will assess her leadership, with recommendations presented to the Board to shape the future direction of the Women’s National Sevens Program.

Expressing her gratitude, Filoi stated, “I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to lead our Manusina 7s and continue serving our country. I am fully committed to giving my best in this tournament and striving for qualification as a non-Core team for the World Sevens Challenger Series in 2025.”

Filoi Eneliko, a former Manusina and Manusina 7s player, currently serves as the Academy Manager for Women’s Rugby at Lakapi Samoa and as the Assistant Backs Coach for the Manusina team, which narrowly missed the chance to win the WXV3 tournament on points differential and also to qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2025 in England. Hailing from Sinamoga and Taufusi, Filoi is a World Rugby Accredited Level 3 Coach. In 2021, she made history as the first female to lead the Upolu Men’s team as Head Coach in the Lakapi Samoa High Performance Lakapi Championship tournament. Additionally, she spent two years as the Backs Coach for the Brumbies Women’s team in the Super W Competition. Filoi also made a significant impact as the first female Head Coach of the St. Joseph’s First XV, which won the championship in 2014. Outside of rugby, she represented Samoa in Touch Rugby, earning Gold Medals in the Women’s Mixed Division at the Pacific Games in 2007, 2015, and 2019.