On Tuesday, November 4, Western Sydney came alive with something truly unforgettable. At the Eastern Creek Sydney Dragway on Ferrers Road, over 10,000 people gathered with one shared purpose: to celebrate Toa Samoa as they prepare for the Pacific Cup Championship Final right in Sydney.
The Toa Samoa Fan Day was a free community event made possible through the collaboration of countless hands and hearts, including FTA Official, Pacificast, all supportive helping hands, and of course the Toa Samoa official team, staff, and everyone who played a part in bringing this to life, making this an unforgettable day for all who attended.
With just five days’ notice, they pulled off something remarkable, bringing together a massive crowd. The atmosphere was electric. Families, friends, and supporters from all walks of life filled the grounds, their faces glowing with pride as they came to cheer on the Toa Samoa boys ahead of the Pacific Cup Championship Final against the New Zealand Kiwis this Sunday, November 9, at CommBank Stadium.
The day was packed with performances from some of the biggest names in music, including Richard Parker, Wayno, Bina Butta, The 046, ONEFOUR, HP Boyz, DJ Superb, DJ Jeff Tupai, and many more. There were cultural performances, food trucks, giveaways, and a sea of flags waving high.
Among the performers was Kennyon Brown, who shared nothing but gratitude for being part of such a meaningful event. Speaking with PMN+, he highlighted the long-standing efforts of FTA Official, who have been supporting Toa Samoa since the 2022 Rugby League World Cup campaign.
“They’ve been setting a standard for how to celebrate and hype the Toa Samoa boys in a respectful and powerful way,” Kennyon said. He explained that FTA Official helped create a blueprint for community parades and gatherings, rallying people in parks, waving flags, playing music, and celebrating the team’s journey.
For Kennyon, this particular event stood out. “It was special because it was the first time they’ve done something where they brought in a big stage, vendors, and music artists in Western Sydney,” he shared. This year’s location in Blacktown made it easier for everyone across Sydney to come together, creating an inclusive space for all.
Kennyon reflected on the powerful moment of seeing tupulaga Samoa, the young Samoan youth and families, filling the grounds, soaking in the performances, and meeting their heroes. “Just seeing Samoans from all around Sydney come together was special,” he said. “For me personally, as a performer, it was really cool to stand alongside other local artists who have built national and even international followings such as ONEFOUR, The 046, the OG Richard Parker, Wayno from Porirua, myself, and Bina. Coming together like that, it truly felt like a big community event, and that’s what it’s like out here in Western Sydney. It feels like one big family.”
His sister, fellow performer Bina Butta, also shared her reflections on the day. “Seeing the blue army right here in Western Sydney reminded me why I love calling this place home. It’s the people, passion, and our culture! From the islands to the west, I’m forever a proud daughter of Samoa, blessed to live on Koori land. 🖤💛❤️”
Kennyon described the community spirit perfectly: even if not everyone knows each other personally, they still share a bond. “Everyone doesn’t know each other, but they know of each other, and they see each other around, and it’s just family.”
Looking out from the stage, Kennyon recalled two thoughts running through his mind. “Crazy, a bunch of Samoans here,” he said, followed by a moment of realization: “Wait, this is Western Sydney.”
“For me personally coming home from the States, home away from home,” he reflected. Kennyon shared that after moving to St. Marys in Western Sydney five years ago, it was the first time he truly felt a sense of belonging. “Since being in Australia, I never really felt that inclusion in the other areas that I lived in, but it wasn’t until I came here that I felt a big community.”
Seeing the Samoan flags waving high and the people celebrating together made the moment even more special. “It was really special to be part of this, to be able to perform for the area, to perform for the people of Samoa all in support of our Toa Samoa boys… as Samoans, as Tongans, or any Pacific Islanders, we take our pride for our nations seriously, it’s a big deal for us.”
Kennyon expressed his deep appreciation for everyone who helped make the day possible. “I couldn’t have done this without the helping hands of FTA Official, Pacificast, all other behind-the-scenes support, vendors, and everyone who contributed.”
With just five days to plan, they united thousands of people in a powerful show of community, pride, and love for Toa Samoa. Kennyon hopes to see more events like this in the future. “Toa Samoa is really bringing Samoans together all across the globe, so I’m pretty excited for this weekend, it’s going to be a big game.”
Editor’s note:
There is something indescribable about witnessing how a small island nation like Samoa can bring the world to its feet. The pride, the faith, and the unity that Toa Samoa inspires have become a symbol of collective strength. It’s a feeling that echoes back to the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, when Samoa made history as the first Pacific nation to reach the final after defeating England in a golden-point thriller. The celebrations then were global, and today, that same energy lives on.
The excitement continues this weekend as Toa Samoa faces the New Zealand Kiwis in the Pacific Cup Championship Final. The NRL confirmed earlier today that the match is officially SOLD OUT, proving just how much this team means to its people and supporters across the globe.
The game kicks off on Sunday, November 9, at 4:05 PM (Sydney time). For fans around the world, here’s when to tune in:
- Apia (Samoa): Sunday, November 9 • 6:05 PM
- Auckland (New Zealand): Sunday, November 9 • 6:05 PM
- Brisbane (Australia): Sunday, November 9 • 3:05 PM
- Honolulu (Hawaii, USA): Saturday, November 8 • 7:05 PM
- Los Angeles (California, USA): Saturday, November 8 • 9:05 PM
- Dallas (Texas, USA): Saturday, November 8 • 11:05 PM
From Sydney to Samoa and beyond, the pride is real and the support is global. No matter where you are, this weekend, the world will once again rise in blue. Toa Samoa… all in.
Photo Credits: @charliiebrownphotography
For more news, media updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of Toa Samoa, be sure to visit the official Toa Samoa website at https://toasamoarl.com/
