OUR BEGINNING

OUR STORY

OUR STORY

The Māori Sports and Cultural Association was founded in 2023 by Kelly Jensen through a vision to create stronger cultural connection, belonging and opportunities for rangatahi living away from Aotearoa.

What started as a whakaaro soon grew through early kōrero with Jason Lemusu and Dee Petaia from other Pasifika communities. Together, those conversations explored the idea of creating a Pasifika tournament that could unite cultures through sport, identity and community.

While the Pasifika concept was formed collectively through those early discussions, Kelly Jensen established the Māori Sports and Cultural Association with a clear purpose — to create a space where Māori rangatahi and whānau could reconnect with culture, build confidence and stand proud in who they are.

Kelly saw the power sports had to bring people together, but also recognised many young Māori growing up in Australia were searching for stronger connection to their whakapapa, culture and identity.

Through ongoing conversations with Pasifika communities, coaches, parents and cultural leaders, the kaupapa quickly became bigger than rugby.

It became a movement built on kotahitanga, manaakitanga and whanaungatanga.

Behind the kaupapa was also a strong circle of support from friends and whānau who believed in the vision from the very beginning. In particular, the strength, guidance and support from the wāhine toa around the programme helped bring the vision to life. Their passion, sacrifice and commitment became a major foundation of the movement and helped create a space where rangatahi and whānau felt welcomed, supported and connected.

As the kaupapa continued to grow, close friends all chipped in to help form the first committee. Everyone brought different skills, experiences and connections, but all shared the same belief — to create something meaningful for the next generation.

From there, the movement grew rapidly. What started with a handful of people soon became teams, whānau, volunteers and supporters all coming together with one shared purpose — to uplift rangatahi both on and off the field.

The programme was never just about winning games.

It was about identity. Confidence. Culture. Connection and creating a place where our young people could proudly stand as Māori.

Today, the kaupapa continues growing beyond what was first imagined in 2023. Through rugby, kapa haka, leadership and community, the Māori Sports and Cultural Association continues helping rangatahi strengthen connection to culture, whakapapa and one another.

Every training, every waiata, every haka and every game continues carrying the same vision that started it all:

To raise the mana of our rangatahi and strengthen connection through sport, culture and community.