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Building Dreams
Throughout Henry Fa’afili’s life he’s had many roles, including rugby pro, partner, and father. His latest role is empowering the next generation of Tauranga’s rangatahi.
Throughout Henry Fa’afili’s life he’s had many roles, including rugby pro, partner, and father. His latest role is empowering the next generation of Tauranga’s rangatahi.
About 50 pairs of young eyes are on Henry Fa’afili as he gives his instructions.
The Tauranga rangatahi are encouraged to face someone in the group they haven’t met and introduce themselves.
“Say your name and say it proud,” Henry says.
Just like that, with a handshake and a smile, instant friendships are being created before class even begins.
Welcome to Youth Central — Te Puna o Taiohi (The Spring of Youth) — a hub for the city’s young people to become the best version of themselves.
It is under this roof where the Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust encourages youth to become vibrant, independent, and responsible contributors to the community.
The man and biggest role model behind it all is former New Zealand Warriors and professional rugby union player Henry Fa’afili.
“Every kid deserves an opportunity and everybody has potential,” he says. “It is about creating a brotherhood, a sisterhood. They are the next generation of leaders.”
The Trust was set up in 2017 in response to growing inequalities for some Tauranga rangatahi.
It aims to improve the lives of young people by delivering inspiring programmes built on five core values printed on the hub’s walls: Manaakitanga/kindness, whakaute/respect, takohanga/responsibility, whakapono/trust and manawaroa/resilience.
It offers a holistic wrap-around support for youth, catering to all aspects of their health and wellbeing, adopting Te Whare Tapa Whā and Fonofale models.
It’s a Thursday afternoon at Youth Central and Henry is leading a workout as part of the Aiga programme.
“All classes begin with a workout,” he says.
This particular programme gives Pasifika youth opportunities to build skills and understanding about mental and physical wellbeing, as well as celebrating their culture and heritage.
In these classes, youth can partake in practical lessons that teach them how to cook island food and make coconut cream from scratch.
“It is giving them an identity and being proud of it,” Henry says.
Practicing what he preaches, the Samoan-born former international sports star performs a traditional Cook Island dance at the end of class. He is carefree and proud as he celebrates his own culture in front of the youth.
“The vibe in here is pretty cool,” he says as he turns the music up.
Catching his breath, Henry says he is proud of what has been achieved for the city’s youth.
It was Tauranga businessman Craig Nees who initially approached Henry about opening a boxing academy for youth who have been “dealt some unfortunate cards in life through no fault of their own”.
The pair started the Tauranga Boxing Academy, an after-school fitness-based development programme to help mentor and teach young men important life skills, discipline and guidance through the art of boxing.
It mirrored what New Zealand and Australian boxing champion Billy Graham was doing through the Naenae Boxing Academy in Wellington.
At first, there were just 10 children enrolled in the Tauranga academy, which operated from a small building at No.3 The Strand.
Now, there are about 1000 youth a month, 250 a week, participating in programmes at Youth Central’s spacious 1050m2 building.
Inside is top-of-the-line fitness and training equipment, including a 25m running track and a tournament-sized boxing ring, coffee shop, and break-out study rooms.
Watching proudly at the buzz of activity happening inside the hub, Henry admits he never dreamed the idea would grow so big.
Providing a supportive, values- and fitness-based environment is pivotal to the success of its programmes, he says, but it is the confidence installed in the youth that makes him most proud.
“If you want something in life, you always have to work hard. I always say to these kids, ‘You can’t go back and start a new beginning, but you can start today and create your own end’.”
“Seeing how confident they have become in school, at home, and in themselves, and seeing the kids’ faces when they have accomplished something is awesome,” he says.
“It’s a rewarding job. It isn’t work when you love what you are doing.”
As well as teaching young people important life skills, the Trust helps guide them into the workforce by leveraging support from its 60-plus employment partnerships and community groups.
Its Imagine Believe Achieve (IBA) pathway-to-employment programme has achieved a 70 per cent success rate getting youth into meaningful employment or education since 2020.
The Te Hono programme provides the tools and support to enable rangatahi to grow into independent adults who contribute positively to the community.
The Ki Tai programme teaches youth discipline and provides opportunities to become physically and mentally fit, and develop leadership skills and self-confidence through access to positive role models and mentors.
Its Te Ara Kaha adventure-based programme offers youth the chance to get involved with outdoor activities in natural environments. And the Te Aranui Youth Trust provides vulnerable youth with the tools for a positive future.
“All young people have the potential to thrive,” Henry says.
Some children, he says, don’t play sports because it is too costly. “For me, it is about giving these kids the opportunities.
“If you want something in life, you always have to work hard. I always say to these kids, ‘You can’t go back and start a new beginning, but you can start today and create your own end’.”
Henry is the first to admit he had a good and loving upbringing, and a successful sporting career. But he too worked hard for it.
After school, Henry became a professional rugby league player and spent six years with the New Zealand Warriors. His career also took him to England, France and Ireland. He counts himself lucky to have represented New Zealand and his birth-country Samoa in rugby league and also Manu Samoa in rugby union.
“It is about belonging to a family, belonging to something. It is about giving, so everybody can eat at the same table together.”
“I was one of the only Kiwi players to score three tries against Great Britain,” he says proudly.
Although his biggest trophies, he says, are his two sons, Harper, 9, and Beau, 8. “And of course, I couldn’t have done any of it without my partner Amy Shannon.”
But Henry knows everyone comes from different backgrounds.
“And everyone deserves an opportunity,” he says. “It is about belonging to a family, belonging to something. It is about giving, so everybody can eat at the same table together.”
Making it all possible is a team of highly qualified mental and physical health experts, including athletes, lawyers, registered psychologists, educators, and youth workers.
Backing the team is a strong governance model and Board of Trustees, chosen for their professional skills, networks in the community and a passion to see local youth succeed.
“This wouldn’t be what it is without our team. It is a team effort,” Henry says.
“You can take all these programmes but if you don’t have the right people in place it won’t work.
“We’re lucky to have a team of people invested in our youth and that’s why this is working.”
Fourteen-year-old up-and-coming boxer Suilasi Lolohea Kaifa agrees.
As one of the original children involved in the Tauranga Boxing Academy, Suilasi says he initially enjoyed it for the fitness. “And to keep busy, keep me out of trouble.”
Now, he says, being part of the Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust and Tauranga Boxing Academy has enabled him to build his dream of becoming a professional boxer.
The teenager has now competed in 15 competitive boxing matches across New Zealand.
“It’s the connection between the coaches and the people who come here,” he says.
“It’s like a second home.”
Story by Zoe Hunter
Photography by Emma Orchard
