“It was great fun. I don’t know wether the kids or the spectators enjoyed the afternoon more,” exclaimed Pacific Horizon principal, Caroline Tuiolosega. “Thanks to FFAS, thanks to the players, thanks to everyone involved in an exciting, friendly and fun opening!”
“This has turned out to be one of our most attractive competitions of the year,” explained FFAS President, Faiivae Alex Godinet. “And the turnout on the first day was amazing.”
The compound was packed with screams of delight from the participants and supporters alike.
This, the third year of the competition, sees an increase in the number of schools and teams in the competition.
It has improved from six schools to nine this year — Iakina 7th Day Adventist Academy, Kananafou, Marist St. Francis, Pacific Horizon, Peteli Academy, Samoa Baptist Academy, St. Theresa, South Pacific Academy and Ta’iala Academy.
“For all three years of this competition we’ve always had it here at Kananafou,” explained Faiivae. “That’s why we want to thank General Secretary, Rev. Reupena Alo, and the Kananafou Theological Seminary for making this field available to us.”
There are two age group divisions — Grades 3-5 and Grades 6-8 for boys and girls in both divisions.
Both age groups are competing in a 7-a-side format with most schools fielding two teams.
“We’ve been told by the principals and teachers that at the beginning of the year the students are asking them when the soccer league is going to start,” said FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua. “And after all the planning, the day the kids have been looking forward to finally arrived and everybody enjoyed themselves.”
There are 10 teams each in the boys and girls brackets for the Grades 6-8 division. There are 11 boys teams and 9 girls teams in the Grades 3-5 division.
After a single round-robin format is completed playoffs will be held for the top 4 teams from each division.