The 17-year-old has been offered a scholarship to finish his schooling in New Zealand while improving his football at the same time.
Growing up, Lotoáheaa loved playing rugby and was pretty good at it, earning selection for the U-13 and U-15 rugby teams for Tonga.
And while he still has his love for the oval-ball, last year Lotoáheaa took on a new ball and a new challenge as he joined the Tonga College football team and was selected by Tonga Football Association for the national U-20 team, which was to play a friendly against Mangere United Football Club in late 2014.
Mangere United coach Rob Khan identified Lotoáheaa and his teammate Soakai Vea as players to watch and offered the pair scholarships to play for his team while attending Mangere College.
While Vea has opted not to take the opportunity, Lotoáheaa grabbed it with both hands.
“They were in contact with me last week regarding forms to fill in for my enrolment at Mangere College, and it was completed and forward to Rob last week”, says Lotoáheaa.
“While I have been waiting I’m keeping up with my goalkeeper training with Henele Saafi, the Tonga FA goalkeeper coach.
“I’m looking forward to more training with Mangere United’s goalkeeper coach.”
Lotoáheaa is waiting to hear if he will be able to undergo his schooling in New Zealand, and while it will take him some distance from his home comforts, it’s something his mother Losilini Lotoáheaa is 100 per cent behind.
“I did everything Rob [Khan] requested because I believe this is a great opportunity for my son, and if he is successful, he will be able to get a better life and it will be a new avenue for a young footballer from Tonga.”
She says if one message comes from this opportunity it’s that parents should always encourage their child to make the most of their opportunities.
“If you notice that your son or daughter has the potential to play a sport, support and encourage them, don’t discourage them as if they receive an opportunity like that of my son, you can count it as a blessing for you and your family.”
TFA technical director Kilifi Uele says this is an excellent opportunity for Lotoáhea and he hopes that it will show budding footballers that there are options for them via football.
“I am so happy that Lotoáhea has accepted this offer as this is another milestone for Tonga FA,” Uele says.
“Now we feel that we will do more in training and organise more opportunities to play with overseas teams as we don’t know when and who will be selected in the future.”
For the latest updates on Tonga football go to www.tongafootball.to

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