Imagine flying away to a tropical oasis, full of life, love, vibrant culture, and a community that touches you emotionally and spiritually, all while studying a Dual Diploma in Sports Management and Leadership at Richmond Institute. In 2025, Richmond Institute hosted its inaugural trip to Samoa, and wow, did it deliver! We were greeted by an abundance of greenery, splashes of colour in every household, churches on nearly every street, and an unforgettable Samoan experience waiting for us.
For the 10 lucky Richmond Institute students, including myself, arriving and experiencing the natural beauty of Samoa in full flight left us all captivated and eager to return, not only for another incredible trip, but to truly experience all that Samoa has to offer.
Across our six-day journey, we were welcomed with open arms and hearts by our wonderful tour guides, Wallace, Andrew, and Tua from the Samoan Tourism Authority, who kindly gifted every one of us a welcome “Ula Fala” floral necklace. They provided guidance and insight into their culture, which we thoroughly appreciated and accepted.
The week was jam-packed as Richmond Institute experienced a dynamic and culturally enriching week in Samoa, filled with unique opportunities for learning, connection, and community engagement. Beginning in Apia, Samoa, the trip included an official welcome at the Samoan Cultural Village, learning about cooking methods, tribal tattoos, and their way of life, meeting with His and Her Highnesses of Samoa, insightful discussions with the CEO of the Ministry of Sport discussing the future and partnership with Australia in sport in Samoa, and a powerful leadership session with former national rugby union player Mathew Vaea, who discussed topics such as Samoa’s sporting background and their ambitions for the future.
Additionally, we ventured into tourist mode and captured Samoa’s natural wonders, such as the To Sua Ocean Trench with stunning aesthetic treasures and a warm coastal vibe. Furthermore, we travelled to the remote island of Savai’i by ferry, where we explored and stayed at local hospitality venues such as the Amoa Resort, visited the Alofaaga Blowholes, and gained firsthand exposure to Samoan traditions and the daily life of the Samoan people in such remote living conditions.
A key feature of the trip was the delivery of two impactful community football clinics, one with the “Healthy Nanas”, a community group promoting active lifestyles among older women, and another with students from Amoa College aged 16–18 years, where we delivered a football clinic, developing on marking, kicking and handballing. All whilst finishing off with an all-in markers up game! Both experiences painted a picture of an amazing culture driven by the connection of sport and friendship.
Not only to myself, but to every Richmond Institute representative, we all concluded that these wonderful locals are willing to invest their time into developing and learning a new skill set, such as football, to connect with people like us from different countries and make lifelong memories. Particularly, a memory that touches my heart from the “Healthy Nanas” was delivering a young boy his first-ever football. The look on his face glimmered with awe and excitement as he started running and kicking it around, laughing and squealing.
Richmond Institute organises trips and experiences just like Samoa to provide students with a unique opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the role sport plays in connecting people across culture, family, and friendship in different communities around the world. That young boy, full of joy from something as simple to us as a football, perfectly captures the power of sport, such as football, to bring people together across all borders of the globe.
I strongly believe that the Samoa 2025 trip strengthened my cultural awareness and heightened my growth and development abilities. By meeting and greeting locals and people of great importance in the country of Samoa, such as His and Her Highnesses of Samoa and the Ministries of Sport/CEO Mathew Vaea, it dictated how I presented myself towards them and how I could showcase my professionalism skills taught by teachers at Richmond Institute.
Other than the football clinics, a time where I felt the experience contributed greatly towards my growth and development was attending the Mataniu Feagaimaleata Church Hall, in which we sat down with the church leader and students aged 19–23+ to discuss their individual ambitions and futures, and importantly, to create connections between one another to gain cultural appreciation. Whilst being at the church community group, Noah, Chelsea, Michael, and I were introduced to three young men. They discussed their ambitions and future aspirations about their work and hopeful sporting outcomes, wishing to play high-level rugby in the years to come.
On a personal level, a man introduced himself to me. His name was Foleni. Foleni, aged 22, was deeply in love with his family’s van club, where they decorate their vans and put them on display in the township in Apia, as he was eagerly showing me on his Facebook account. He also emphasised the fact that he wanted to become a high-level rugby player not only to become successful but to help provide for his family, because that is who he loves and cares for the most. This was an unbelievable experience that I did not take for granted. For Foleni to be able to show me the things he cherishes the most in his life, to me, is heartwarming and connecting. This experience shows how Richmond Institute trips create meaningful connections with people from different walks of life. These moments help students, like me, to develop empathy, broaden their perspectives, and understand the value of community and ambition.
Richmond Institute invites everyone to become comfortable and close with each other to create lasting connections and trust. At the beginning of the trip, I only knew one or two students because they were in my class. However, throughout the trip, we bonded ever so well, leaving me cherishing the new friendships and memories I had made and wanting the trip to go on longer. From the random pool trips, market hauls, late-night chats, dancing at the Phat Burger DJ set, and the unbelievable dinner we had at the Italian restaurant Paddles, the trip taught me how to positively make new connections, become comfortable with the uncomfortable, and most importantly, make connections with these people lifelong, creating familiar and friendly faces.
Overall, my trip to Samoa exceeded my expectations. It was full of amazing experiences that I don’t think I will ever forget, and it only left me wanting to ask one question:
“When are we going back?”
Everything taught at the Richmond Institute correlates with the views and values displayed during trips such as Samoa. All the hard work in class pays off for moments like these. These trips are both the key and the guide; they open the door to unforgettable experiences while continually helping you grow and develop your skill set for your future roles. It certainly did for me. I believe I have gained confidence and certainty in myself that I can take on any role that is presented to me, just because I had such a unique opportunity to help develop football and culture in a different country, to a variety of people. This is the true value of why Richmond Institute runs these trips. It provides real-world experiences to understand what would be expected in future roles and empowers personal and professional growth.
To accomplish the unthinkable and embark on such amazing and valuable trips like Samoa and many others that Richmond Institute hosts, they are most definitely worth applying for and working for. Take the opportunity. I can’t wait to see the next cohort of students enjoy it just as much as:
- Ryan Rowley
- Noah Marshall
- Lucas Hall
- Ethan Holliday
- Trinity Owsianka
- Samara Perryman
- Chelsea Puls
- Naisha Anoop
- Connie Papadopoulos
And I did.
Thank you, Richmond Institute, for giving all of us students the opportunity!
This article was written by Kristian Robinson a current Diploma of Sport/Diploma of Leadership and Management (SIS50321/BSB50420) student studying in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology and the Richmond Football Club.
