Youth in union
'Empowering underprivileged youth to be the best they can be through health and sport'
Pacific Islands are home to some of the most beautiful and generous people who pride themselves on culture and family. The youth of these islands are often underprivileged and left without the bare necessities to strengthen their athletic talents, to enhance their future and bring unity. Both founders Eddie Aholelei and Lachlan McCaffrey have a strong passion for youth work, coaching and mentoring.
Read more and see how you can help!
Young Harry and boys From year 5 Canberra Grammar School kindly collecting/donating boxes of boots which will be shipped to Tonga on our next trip! Youth are our future!!
Donate + Help
Options to donate or help (2023 Trip to Tonga):
Any collection of sports equipment (rugby) including boots, jerseys, training clothes, gym equipment will be shipped to Tonga and provided to schools and rugby clubs (YIU can collect from schools and clubs)
Become a sponsor by joining us on the trip and help run coaching clinics and donating gifts
Become a financial sponsor to help us with the costs of the; shipment Aus -> Tonga $5000 , Flights and boat trip to smaller islands $1000, Accomodation $500 , costs on the Island $250
We would love to hear from you if any of these options are of interest to you, you will be making a huge difference in the lives of so many young kids! Get in touch below!
Thousands of young lives have been greatly supported by Youth in Union sponsors and donators; we would like to thank the special people below who make this possible.
CFMEU
Royce Kupsch and his team at CFMEU Qld/NT donations and financial support for our shipping container costs to Tonga
Storage KIng
Michael Tate and his team at Storage King Lane Cove supply essential storage space for collections and donations until shipments are ready to be sent to Tonga.
2019 Youth in Union Charity trip team members - 7 days in Eua and Haapai'i
RUGBY Community
Youth in Union kindly thanks the incredible generosity and support from various players and teams around the world;
Businesses; Macquarie Sports, CFMEU, Storage King, Meyer Vandenberg Lawyers, Wahlstrom Financial Services, Bendigo Bank Freshwater, Budgy Smugglers, Gullivers Sports Travel, Mizuno, RAR Cranes Group, Running Bare, Asics
Rugby Clubs and Schools support - ACT Brumbies, Kubota Spears, Rugby Palooza & IRAA, Manly Marlins, Wagga Rugby Club, Gungahlin Rugby Club, St Ignatius College, The Kings College, Waverley College, Canberra Grammar School
Founder Eddie Aholelei receiving the RUPA award for Service to the Community alongside Australian Wallabies captain Michael Hooper
Handing out rugby balls to young girls and boys at a local school - lots of smiles!
Tonga A Women’s team getting fitted out with sport bras from Running Bare
Donated rugby boots and runners for kids on remote islands in Tonga
Prize winner of the day! Thanks to the Wallaby boys for the jersey
CFMEU Donations to shipping containers and much needed financial support
C0-Founder Lachlan Mccaffrey in the Storage King storage units that keep sports equipment & clothing safe until we ship to Tonga
Contact Us
Youth In Union can be contacted through its founders or the email below.
Eddie Aholelei Austin Morris
Ph: +61 424 976 872 +61 428 644 007
Lachlan McCaffrey
Ph: +61 405 065 106
Please complete the form below
YIU Founders
Eddie aholelei
Eddie Aholelei is of Tongan descent. He grew up in Tonga most of his life with his parents and four brothers and represented Tonga in both age group and opens level on the world stage.
Aholelei moved to Sydney, Australia after high school and joined the Manly Marlins rugby club in 2001. Aholelei joined the Melbourne Rebels extended playing squad in 2011. On 14 July 2014, Aholelei made his move to England to join London Welsh who compete in the Aviva Premiership from the 2014-15 season. In July 2016, he moved to the Romanian Superliga champions Timisoara Saracens. He also helped the club to win the Supa liga Champion for the second time in a row.
In 2015 he registered the charity “Youth in Union” (Non profit Organisation) to help youth through sports in his home country Tonga.
lachlan mccaffrey
Lachlan McCaffrey spent fifteen years playing Professional Rugby around the world. He has transitioned into the coaching world with his 1st Grade Head Coach role at Gungahlin Eagles in Canberra. He is also working as a leadership consultant with EY and completing his Masters in Financial Planning.
McCaffrey has always been involved in charities since his experience volunteering at the Matthew Talbot Hostel and the Starlight Express Rooms. He is currently an ambassador with the Fly Program. After playing with Eddie Aholelei in 2014 he has helped create Youth in Union into a thriving charity helping thousands of young Tongan kids annually, and manages the annual charity coaching trip to Tonga.
SMH
Tongan smiles help prepare Brumbies McCaffrey for injury comeback
"Lachlan McCaffrey hopes to be ready to make his Super Rugby comeback as early as next week despite fearing his season was over when he looked down and saw his dislocated elbow. But the ACT Brumbies flanker has put his recovery plans on the backburner to help inspire a generation of Tongan juniors on a soul-enriching trip to the island nation..."
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/tongan-smiles-help-prepare-brumbies-mccaffrey-for-injury-comeback-20180502-p4zct6.html>
WFS
Helping Tongan kids smile through Youth in Union
"Youth in Union is a not for profit organisation with an aim to develop the talents of the youth and the underprivileged through sports and education to enhance their future and eliminate prejudices..."
https://www.wfsqld.com.au/single-post/YouthinUnion>
GCB
Bond University Eddie Aholelei making a difference
"Between being the veteran of a young Bond University team finding its way..."