St Patrick's College First XV coach and proud dad Willie Leota pictured with his daughters (L-R) Mollie, Moana and Billie Leota. Photo / Givealittle
St Patrick's College First XV coach and proud dad Willie Leota pictured with his daughters (L-R) Mollie, Moana and Billie Leota. Photo / Givealittle
Students and staff at a prestigious and proud sporting school in Wellington are mourning the sudden loss of their much-loved and respected First XV rugby coach.
St Patrick’s College - the country’s oldest Catholic boys school - has reopened its doors just days into the school holidays after news of the death of popular rugby coach Willie Leota.
The 46-year-old has had a long affiliation with St Pat’s, having been a proud old boy of the college, before going on to help the school’s sporting staff with his involvement in rugby.
College spokesman Matt Buck, who also worked closely with Leota as part of the school’s rugby staff, said there had been an “outpouring of grief” when the news broke yesterday. The cause of death has not been made public.
“It’s been a massive shock - not to just lose the First XV coach, but to lose an old boy of the college and someone who spent half his life as part of our community.”
Buck said the college had reopened its doors to allow for students, staff and members of the school community to come together. The college has also set up a Givealittle fundraising page to help Leota’s wife Francis and their children Moana, Mollie, Billie and Solomon.
‘A great man on and off the field’
St Patrick's College First XV coach and proud dad Willie Leota pictured with his daughters (L-R) Mollie, Moana and Billie Leota. Photo / Givealittle
He described poignant scenes at the school yesterday - students, teachers and coaches openly sharing their grief.
Some students in the First XV, who had travelled overseas with their families for the holidays, had to have the news told to them over the phone - something particularly difficult, he said.
One of those students is heading back home early to pay his final respects to coach Leota.
Buck said such was the impact Leota left on the team.
“He just wanted to turn young men into good young men.
“There was no messing with Willie. He was pretty strict with the boys, but the outpouring of grief, when you speak to the players, has been a testament to Willie - he played the father figure well,” he said.
“He leaves behind a beautiful young family.”
Willie Leota pictured in his Wairarapa-Bush rugby playing days. Photo / File
Leota had previously coached the school’s Second XV rugby team, before a stint on the coaching staff at another local college.
He would return home to St Pat’s after an opportunity arose to be the assistant coach for the First XV. He would be in that role for two years before taking up the head coach title this year.
A dedicated coach, dad and friend
Buck shared a special moment at the team’s pre-season camp earlier this year.
“At the end of that camp, Willie announced his first First XV squad for this year. With that, the emotion took over and there were tears from him.
Willie Leota coach for the First XV rugby team at St Patrick's College in Wellington died suddenly 08 July 2024
picture supplied
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=444424941886681&set=a.126452543683924
“It just showed just how much it meant to him. It was the same when he presented to the parents before the season started. He talked about the why and the family and the boys.
“Again, he was very emotional then. The job meant so much to him. He put so much time and effort into the team. The guy just spent so much time researching and connecting with the boys and making sure they were okay.”
Any player who found themselves without gear or boots, for some reason, coach Leota always made sure they were covered, Buck said.
Leota’s involvement in local rugby scenes has also been acknowledged in tributes from local clubs and teams, as well as other schools and colleges in the Wellington region - including St Bernard’s College, Holy Cross Sch Miramar and St Patrick’s College Silverstream.
In previous years, he played for Marlborough and the Wairarapa Bush.
Wellington Rugby said in a post on Facebook: “On behalf of the Wellington Rugby community, the Wellington Rugby Football Union would like to extend our thoughts and love to the Leota family.
“Willie was a huge part of the local rugby community and a great man both on and off the field. He will be missed by many. Rest in peace, Willie.”
Among the online messages paying tribute to Leota were a few words from some of his children, including one from daughter Moana Leota: “SPC was everything to our Dad. Being able to inspire and be inspired by not only his friends from his school days, but by the young men he coached, gave him purpose. He gave his all to this school.”
A funeral service for Leota is being planned to be held at the school he was so staunchly proud to be a part of.
Vaimoana Mase is the Pasifika editor for the Herald’s Talanoa section, sharing stories from the Pacific community. She won junior reporter of the year at the then Qantas Media Awards in 2010 and won the best opinion writing award at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.
