Ata Malifa

Ata Malifa serves as assistant coach for the Nike Rugby Camps in Colorado. Coach Ata is a former national team player and currently plays professionally at Center for the Glendale Raptors.

Ata was born in Apia, the capital city of the South Pacific island nation of Samoa. He attended high school in Auckland, New Zealand, and remained there to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Athlete development from Unitec. He began playing rugby at 10 years of age, and cites his parents as a major inspiration to play: “They gave me good guidance growing up and instilled the importance of hard work. They inspire me to play at the highest level. They always get the best out of me.”