Josh Aloiai leads calls for Pacific Islander youth to stop Sydney gang violence

NRL boss Peter V’landys has vowed to use the power of his sport to fight Western Sydney gang bloodshed, as a star of the game begs young Pacific Islanders to stop the violence.

Rugby league boss Peter V’landys has vowed to use the power and influence of his sport to fight the gang bloodshed in Western Sydney, just as one of the game’s stars issued a desperate plea to young Pacific Islanders to stop the violence, saying: “We have lost our identity.”

In the wake of the stabbing death of teenage father-to-be Uati “Pele” Faletolu at the Royal Easter Show, Mr V’Landys told The Daily Telegraph he rec­ognised rugby league was part of “the DNA of Sydney” and had an important role to play.

“Youth gang violence across Sydney is a major concern. You only need to look at the recent tragic and sad deaths of youths with all their lives ahead of them,” the ARLC chairman said. “Then there are the families they leave behind whose lives are changed forever with endless grief.

“I want to commend some of our players who have come out in the past 48 hours and tried to calm the ­communities and call out this senseless behaviour which has lifetime ­ramifications.

Rugby league boss Peter V’landys has vowed his sport will play a key role to play in influencing kids away from Sydney’s “postcode wars”. Picture: NRL Photos

“Our players are heroes and role models in these regions and I congratulate those who have taken up leadership roles in this area. Rugby league is part of the DNA of Sydney. If we can play a role in breaking down these gangs we absolutely will.”

The players he commended inclu­ded Manly Sea Eagles enforcer Josh Aloiai, who has led calls for a “stop” to the kind of violence that claimed the life of 17-year-old Faletolu.

Uati "Pele" Faletolu, 17, was stabbed to death in a violent fight at the Royal Easter Show on Monday. Picture: Supplied

As police continue to probe potential links between the fatal stabbing and street gangs, Aloiai made an Instagram post on Wednesday night calling on members of his community – young and old – to “fight to be a role model”.

“Islanders are assaulting and killing other islanders in the streets. Often kids. Our very own people! Where have we lost our identity?” the Samoan international wrote.

“Most of our Olds moved from the islands to countries like NZ and Australia to create a better life.

“It’s one thing to be proud of where you come from because that’s part of your story. It’s a whole other thing to fight for your postcode and your suburb. Your postcode and your suburb doesn’t care about you! Fight to be a role model for your brothers and sisters!”

Mr V’landys commended Aloiai for speaking out against violence. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Mt Druitt-born Penrith Panthers star Brian To’o shared a post with a photo of Faletolu on his Instagram on Wednesday night. He also shared a love heart on a post by the victim’s ­girlfriend’s sister, Breanah Piliae, who confirmed that her sibling is pregnant with Faletolu’s child.

It is in stark contrast to previous criticisms levelled at NRL players who used gang signs, that to many may seem harmless, but add to unnecessary “postcode war” pride.

Police sources said one of the major reasons they were cracking down on the city’s “postcode wars” was the fact they were often a breeding ground for the next crop of underworld figures.

Almost in the same way football teams have junior feeder clubs producing future generations of first grade players, youths are being recruited from the streets into major organised crime clans.

Faletolu was expecting a child with his girlfriend Taylor Piliae. Picture: Instagram

Gangs such as One Four in Mt ­Druitt, ‘67’ in Doonside and ‘21’ District in Cabramatta are the beginning of a life in bikie gangs or crime clans.  

Police have previously spoken of ­direct links between street gangs One Four and KVT to the deadly conflict between the Alameddine and Hamzy families.

“They’re part and parcel of one ­another,” one police source said.

“They’re boosting cars out of ­people’s homes, these are aggravated serious offences, and then they’re going to these organised crime syndicates as the next step.”

More than a dozen police operations and strike forces are in progress, catching juvenile criminals as well as delivering education programs aimed at preventing involvement.

Incredible photos revealed late last year by The Daily Telegraph show a gang of youths posing proudly on the bonnet of stolen cars.

One of the vehicles was stolen from a Warrawee home in October, before being used in the drive-by killing of Hamzy gang boss Ghassan Amoun in January. In the aftermath of the shooting the car was ditched on a side street and torched.

The warnings for parents about the dangers of their children being ­involved in gangs and gang culture comes as tributes continued to flow for Faletolu.

His local rugby league club, Doonside JRLC, have started a GoFundMe page, that has already raised more than $20,000.