Michael Motu Tauai has today been appointed the Diversity and Inclusion Manager for Rugby Victoria.
The critical role will see Michael lead Diversity & Inclusion programs across the state, including the implementation of Rugby Victoria’s Pasifika Strategy.
Working closely with Rugby Victoria’s partner organisations and key stakeholders, Michael has been tasked in developing an overarching Diversity & InclusionStrategy for Rugby in Victoria.
We sat down with Michael to discuss his new role.
RV: Tell us why it's important for Rugby in Victoria to embrace diversity and inclusion?
Michael: Sport has the ability to build a community. As a team sport rugby allows people to come together and work towards a common purpose, a team bonds as they learn to rely on and support each other. Rugby union is an international game played across many different nations on a world stage.
In order for rugby union to continue its positive influence on community we must ensure that all people within our community feel welcome, seen as part of the game and try rugby. A holistic and inclusive diversity strategy starts with a thorough understanding of marginalised and non cis gendered peoples. Understanding the best way to welcome them into the rugby community is key for the continued growth and popularity of the game.
The late Va’ainga Tuigamala (All Black/Manu Samoa) RIL – said, one of the core values of rugby is that it unites everyone, no matter what colour you are, whether you rich or poor, the game of rugby is the glue that brings everyone together.
RV: Tell us about your own rugby journey?
My rugby journey began back in Petone Wellington New Zealand in the late 1980’s, back then it was how many ruck marks you endured in a game on your back that elevated you to stardom. Petone Rugby Union Football Club produced superstar players which I had the pleasure of to train and play alongside. My first taste of elite rugby was being invited to the Wellington Colts U21 trials in 1992, however the future All Black number 8 put an end to that selection. In 1993 I trained and played with more intensity, and I was again awarded an invite to the Colts trial.
This time I was selected for the prestigious Wellington Colts 93’ - as a loose forward number 8. In the years 94/95 I was completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology at Victoria University Wellington, unfortunately those 2 years rugby was on hold as it helped me to focus on my studies and to graduate later that year 1995 receiving my degree certificate.
I decided to re-enter the rugby playing scene in Wellington to try my luck because in 1996 the inaugural Super 12 Rugby competition had started and all my friends (6 of them) well in the Wellington Hurricanes squad. It was hard, too many up & coming young players, again future All Black number 8’s were outstanding in the local club games, one potential loose forward stopped playing to pursue his acting career. I too stopped playing union and went to the other rugby code playing for the Manawatu Mustangs Lion Red Cup and then to the Hutt Valley Dolphins Rugby League team.
Also in 1995, a childhood friend returned to Wellington from playing pro-rugby in Italy, in the hopes he be selected for the Hurricanes squad. He went on to captain the Hurricanes and the All Blacks. This friend also arranged for me a short-term 6month rugby union professional contract to Italy, I accepted and off I went in February 1997. Didn’t know what to expect, I really enjoyed it, meeting new people, seeing new places and trying to learn a European language. I ended up playing in the Italian rugby comp for nearly 10years. Now I speak fluent Italian when I can, I have travelled all over Italia, I visited friends playing in the English and French professional rugby competition and I went on vacations to Spain and Germany.
In the 10years living/playing in Italia, I assist the rugby club to organise junior tournaments and to coach the juniors and promote safe rugby programs at their local schools delivering all coaching sessions in Italian. After Italy I went back to Samoa to help mum with her Nursery Garden business, I also played local village rugby for Moata’a RUFC, a brutal experience where the opposition is out to hurt the overseas player with or without the ball.
Lucky to leave in one piece, 6 months later an old rugby friend offered me a job here in Melbourne. I have had the privilege to win a Premiership with the Powerhouse RUFC in 2007, I met a girl now my wife she lived next to Chadstone, so I went and played/coached at Harlequin’s RUFC. During this time I worked for the Victorian Rugby Union as a Development Officer, delivered various coaching clinics to low social economic communities – Backyard Rugby. I am honoured to say, representing the VRU in consultation with Brimbank Community Church leaders and the Brimbank City Council, 2012 saw the beginning of Brimbank RUFC with one team U8’s, a home ground and a rugby club committee.
I was also a committee member in the Melbourne Manu Samoa Rugby Organisation helping with the first Melbourne Pacific Cup. My Melbourne rugby journey has taken me also to coach a Premiership winners 2nd Div Haileybury College First XV team in 2011. I manage to also coach the VRU State U14 Squad to Queensland in 2012 - very happy that this state pathway helped produce the current Brumbies/Wallaby number 8.
My wife and I brought a house in Dingley Village and as soon as my son was 5yrs old we joined the Moorabbin RUFC 10mins away. I helped coached the juniors from U6 to U11’s, delivered holiday program clinic’s and was a committee board member of the club. Now my son Lenex and I are currently members at the Endeavour Hills RUFC, Lenex U14’s is also participating in the Melbourne Brothers Academy program.
Thank you, Rugby Union, for taking me around the world, working with the communities and giving me so much in life.
RV: How do see your position promoting inclusivity within the game?
Michael: The first item on the agenda would be to understand the current status quo. Where are we managing successfully to engage with indigenous, marginalised and the LGBTQI+ community. I plan on meeting with any current community groups that have built a strong relationship with Rugby Vic already. Listening is key to understanding the lived experience of those that have not travelled the normative path. I have a strong background in being able to successfully develop and deliver programs with marginalised groups, I plan on using my existing knowledge of relationship building to help open doors and share my love of rugby.
My position is to ensure that all community know they are welcome to try rugby, the benefits of the game and how it can enrich their lives through meeting new people, learning new skills and fundamentally belonging.
I plan on being very hands on in my pursuit of bringing rugby to non-traditional participants, sharing what I have learnt through and allowing people to see for themselves the inherent benefits
While I plan on spending time in community with various groups, I imagine there is much work to be undertaken in educating and empowering our existing clubs in how they can best appeal to and support diverse participants. The strategy being successful replies on local clubs ensuring they are safe spaces for all community members. I can imagine there will be some cultural change required and support in creating truly safe spaces that cater to non-binary rugby participants.
Working towards the roll out of a diversity and inclusion strategy will require timely communications to stakeholders, soliciting and responding to feedback and adapting the operating plan to ensure we amplify the wins and minimise the issues.
