The Cook Islands Rugby League men’s and women’s teams’ experience at the Pacific Games will be cherished for years to come.

For team manager Wallace Aroita, it has been a journey of reflection and looking back at what God has done for them.

Just a few days before the start of the games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, the men’s and women’s teams experienced flight disruptions from Auckland and missed the Fiji Airways flight from Nadi to Honiara- due to Tropical Cyclone Mal.

This prompted them to change airlines and transit through Canberra and Brisbane. They also put out a call for financial support after exhausting much of their budget on rebooking flights and accommodation in New Zealand and Fiji.

Aroita put out a video message video appealing for financial support from the Cook Islands community. This call was met with widespread support from the Cook Islands community in Australia.

Arriving in Honiara after their schedule and straight into their matches, the teams stunned everyone with the women’s team securing gold and the men’s team claiming bronze.

Moments before the team’s medal ceremony, Aroita took some time for quiet reflection, expressing gratitude to God for the team’s accomplishments.

“I was reflecting on that and I was having a little cry because there’s a lot that happened behind the scenes for us to get to where we are,” he said.

“And I’m feeling it too. Just looking back on the last four months that we’ve had together, and just to see some late changes come in, felt like they were always part of the journey.”

Aroita said he got emotional “because of what God has done for all of us, the number of prayers that are put for this team and our women’s team and our management”.

“We just wanted everything to go smoothly, but every time He does something smooth, He always gives you something rough. Every time you ask for strength, He always gives you a challenge.”

Aroita said he was proud of the team’s performance and seeing God’s work is amazing.

“We knew we’re not strong in this space … but we knew it had to take more than rugby league to get to where we are. And I’m just so proud that we finally did it.”

Aroita said being in Honiara to represent the Cook Islands has been an honour and seeing positive comments online helped get to the finish line.

He said his advice to the team during their journey was: “Everyone knows how to play but it’s about who wants to run further than anyone. People want to come in and win, but it’s about running the distance and not asking how far we need to run. Because at the end of the day, the last man standing is going to be the winner.”

Aroita acknowledged that the men’s team is still young and has much more to learn.

“I said if you really want this, you need to dig deeper than you’ve ever been before because there’s a nation behind you that no one knows about. And today is the opportunity to do that. Put your name on the map.

“And I believe we’ve done that and all the supporters that have come out to support us with the drums and the noise makes it even more special.

“It’s been an awesome journey. And I just thank God for this opportunity and I thank the nation for supporting us all the way.”

Aroita expressed his ongoing prayers for God’s blessings upon all those who have supported the team.

“I just want to say thank you so much. We are Team Cook Islands and may the support continue for everyone else that’s behind this because we need it.”