NRL 2025: West Tigers stars Luke and Kit Laulilii’s plan to help their family and community

Brothers Kit and Luke Laulilii want to use their time in the NRL to change lives, to help their parents, family, friends and a wider Pasifika community find pride in who they are and where they are from.

Plenty of players would say making their NRL debut is the dream, but for some of the game’s Pasifika stars, the aspiration runs much deeper.

Wests Tigers juniors Kit and Luke Laulilii didn’t have what many would consider an ideal upbringing. They were two of nine living in a cramped three-bedroom house, struggling to communicate with parents who couldn’t speak English, and a father who worked three jobs to make ends meet.

But the brothers don’t see their situation as anything unusual for other Polynesian kids in South West Sydney, who are also looking for a way to change their circumstances.

“We had financial problems growing up, and so do most families like us,” Kit said.

“We just want to be a little bit of hope to other families to keep pushing because there is a way through every situation.”

Luke and Kit Laulilii have decided to pool the money to help their parents. Picture: NRL Imagery

After making their respective top-flight debuts in 2023 and 2024, the brothers initially thought they had achieved their dream. But it wasn’t until a day spent on the tools with their dad that they realised just how fortunate they were.

With an NRL appearance already under his belt, Kit joined his father, John, for a day of tree lopping.

There, the 19-year-old had an epiphany about the special gift he possessed, one that could bring stability to his family.

“It was hard work, and it’s the type of job many of us feel like is the only option. So, to get to do something I love, with the NRL, is what I want all kids to aspire to,” Kit said.

The brothers celebrate with family on Luke’s debut in Round 16 2024. Picture: NRL Imagery

Luke’s realisation came not from a day on the tools, but from witnessing the reaction of his community when he donned his first NRL jersey.

“You see your parents, family, and friends all get excited, and you realise how much it means to everyone else. Then you realise you have the ability to change lives with your skills,” Luke said.

Still living at home, Kit and Luke have decided to pool the money from both of their contracts to give their parents the life they’ve always dreamt of.

“From the day we both got our contracts, we decided to put all our money together to buy our parents the house they want, or anything we can. That’s the main goal,” Kit said.

Kit and Luke credit Benji Marshall’s family-first mindset as a key motivator. Picture: Getty Images

The Tigers rookies have adopted much of their new perspective from their fellow Polynesian coach, Benji Marshall, who instils family-first principles in his players.

Kit and his 18-year-old brother Luke credit Marshall’s family-first mindset as a key motivator for their greater ambitions, which also fuel the 53 per cent of Pasifika players in the Tigers’ NRL squad.

“Benji has been pushing a massive message of not changing who you are, being proud of where you’re from, and always putting your family first,” Kit said.

Luke Laulilii (right) at the Pasifika Youth Conference. Picture: Tigers

“In our culture, it is very important to put family first, and the Tigers and Benji have let us embrace that.”

Both Laulilii brothers spent Wednesday in Campbelltown for the Tigers Empower program’s Pasifika Youth Summit, where they shared their stories with younger Pacific Islanders facing some of the same challenges they once did.

Wests Tigers Pasifika Youth Conference. Picture: Tigers

Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has described the Pasifika community and the youth in South West Sydney as vital to the club’s growth.

“It’s a huge growth area for us, but not just for players, but for our community,” Richardson said.

“Our players, especially the young ones, love going out to the communities and showing that there are pathways to do whatever they want in life.

“A lot of our boys share the same background and are from the area. To be a part of the community, you need to be a part of the community.”