For Tutumanu Piuiki Matautia of Samoa, International Women’s Day is deeply personal.

“As a Samoan woman in sport, it represents resilience,” she says. “It represents our mothers and grandmothers — women who carried leadership in quiet strength long before we were given titles.”

For Tutumanu, the day is not just about celebration. It is about recognising that women in sport are leaders, decision-makers and change agents — while still honouring culture and tradition.

The Accidental Beginning

Hockey was the first sport Tutumanu Piuiki Matautia ever played — and it happened by accident.

At just nine or ten years old, she was watching her aunty’s team one Saturday when they found themselves a player short before a major match. With no one else available, Tutumanu was sent onto the field with strict instructions to stay close and avoid contact.

“The moment the whistle blew, I forgot everything,” she laughs. “I just ran.”

She tackled, blocked and chased every ball. By the end of the game, she was awarded Best Player of the Day.

“That moment changed everything. Hockey found me — and I fell in love with it.”

Wearing Samoa on Her Chest

Today, representing Samoa is about far more than competition.

“When I wear Samoa on my chest, I carry my family, my village, my ancestors — and every young girl watching,” Tutumanu says. “It’s pride, but it’s also responsibility.”

Coming from a small nation with limited resources means stepping onto the field with heart, discipline and unity. Her journey — from filling in as a child to representing her country — remains humbling.

A Multi-Sport Mindset

Tutumanu’s sporting life extends beyond hockey. She has competed in paddle, soccer, netball and golf — each shaping her in different ways.

Netball taught communication.

Soccer built endurance and creativity.

Golf developed patience and emotional control.

Hockey refined leadership and structure.

“Being multi-sport made me adaptable,” she explains. “It taught me that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.”

The Challenges Behind the Scenes

For many women in sport, the toughest battles are unseen.

Tutumanu speaks openly about the emotional load — balancing family, leadership, cultural expectations and performance. There is fundraising, limited facilities and the quiet self-doubt that can arise when stepping into spaces not originally built for women.

“As a Pacific woman, you don’t just carry yourself — you carry community expectation too.”

Building Pathways for the Next Generation

As former Secretary of the Athletes Commission for the Oceania National Olympic Committee and current Secretary of the Samoa Hockey Federation, Tutumanu Piuiki Matautia is passionate about creating stronger systems for young women.

She sees clear gaps:

  • Limited structured grassroots programmes
  • Inconsistent facilities
  • Few female mentors in leadership
  • Limited media visibility

“Girls need to see women not only playing — but coaching, officiating and sitting at decision-making tables.”

For Tutumanu, real equity is structural — equal access to facilities, meaningful investment, funding for preparation, and women included in governance.

Her vision is a Girls in Sport Leadership & Development Programme across Samoa and the Pacific — combining athletic training with leadership, education and mentorship.

“We need to develop the whole person, not just the athlete.”

A Message to Young Girls

To any girl who loves sport but questions whether she belongs, Tutumanu’s message is clear:

“You belong before anyone gives you permission. Don’t wait to see the full pathway — sometimes you are the pathway. Keep showing up. Keep training. Keep learning.”

As International Women’s Day 2026 approaches, Tutumanu Piuiki Matautia’s journey reflects the strength of Pacific women in sport — grounded in culture, driven by resilience, and committed to creating pathways for those who follow.

“Strength is not always loud,” she says. “Sometimes it’s simply choosing to stay.”