Tongan international Eddie Aholelei has been appointed to a senior Queensland coaching role in a milestone move made possible through the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program.
Aholelei’s appointment as a full-time assistant forwards coach to the inaugural Reds' Emerging Academy for Women follows two successful seasons of professional development with Queensland supported by PacificAus Sports.
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This program, which fosters high-performance opportunities for Pacific athletes and coaches in Australia, enabled Eddie to refine his coaching skills, gain critical experience, and contribute meaningfully to women’s rugby development in the region.
“PacificAus Sports program has opened up many opportunities not only for myself but for our Pasifika people — both males and females," Aholelei told rugby.com.au.
"I’m very fortunate to be part of this pathway program, to show my skills and grow through learning from different coaches, all because of the PacificAus Sports program."
Aholelei's journey from player to coach exemplifies the evolving landscape of Pacific representation in high-performance sport.
The powerful Ikale Tahi prop made nine Test appearances for Tonga in a career spanning more than 100 first class games across the globe alongside a decorated Shute Shield record with the Manly Marlins.
Queensland women’s high performance manager, Nico Andrade, praised Aholelei's growth growth and contribution since joining the Reds with the support of PacificAus Sports.
“Eddie has had two really solid seasons with the Queensland Reds women's team in the forwards area and we are pleased he is able to take on a broader role to embed those foundations into the youth pathway in Queensland," Andrade said.
"He comes from a well-rounded background, both as a player and in the high-performance area, coaching men and women.
"He recently coached the Tongan women's team, including in Nuku’alofa last year when the Reds visited through the assistance of the PacificAus Sports program. The experience he brings from all facets is a positive.”
Rugby Australia's head of Pacific Partnerships, Daniel Millis, told rugby.com.au the PacificAus Sports initiative "continues to demonstrate the power of rugby diplomacy – strengthening people-to-people connections, creating new pathways for Pacific coaches and administrators, and enhancing mutual development between Australia and the region."
"Eddie’s progression is a clear example of the doors being opened for Pacific talent in high-performance sport through targeted investment, mentoring, and exposure," Millis added.
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally.
The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket and Olympic/Paralympic sports, with funding split evenly between women and men.
PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s That Pacific Sports Show and ABC Radio’s Fresh Off the Field.
The high performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific.
For more information about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, visit https://www.pacificaussports.gov.au/ and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.
