The final round will be held on November 25 before the top four teams from the boys and girls divisions of the two age groups compete in the play-offs.
The play-offs are set for November 26 with the finals to be held November 27.
So far the Kananafou Theological Seminary field has been filled with parents, teachers and the players since the beginning of this month and all have thoroughly enjoyed the competition.
“It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm from all of the parents, teachers and students,” said W. Edward Brown, Director of Catholic Education in American Samoa.
“The soccer tournament is an excellent venue to bring our community together and support the children as we strive to work on healthier lifestyles.”
The Catholic schools, Marist St. Francis and St. Theresa, are the new additions to the competition that is now in its third year. Iakina also returned to the league this year after participating two years ago and then sitting out last year, bringing the total number of schools to nine.
“It just seems as if this league is improving every year even though its only been three years now,” explained FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua. “It has become our most well attended competition because almost all of the parents are at the field cheering on their children, nieces and nephews.”
FIFA Development Officer Eva Pasquier was on island for two days and Taumua said that when she saw the young girls playing, her eyes lit up.
“She was extremely happy to see the young girls playing,” Taumua recalled. “It is one of FIFA’s directives, to develop the women’s game and this is at its most basic levels, girls ages six on up playing.
“So good luck to all the teams that will be playing in play-offs and for those that did not make it, don’t worry, as long as you had a lot of fun that’s all that matters,” Taumua added.
The top four teams for the Grade 3-5 girls are — No. 1 South Pacific Academy, No. 2 St. Theresa, No. 3 Kanana Fou A and No. 4, Samoa Baptist A. The defending champion is Peteli.
The boys Grades 3-5 top four are — No. 1 Pacific Horizon, No. 2 St. Theresa, No. 3 Kanana Fou B and No. 4 Peteli Academy, the division’s defending champions.
The Grades 6-8 top for for the girls are — No. 1 Peteli Academy, defending champs and No. 2 Samoa Baptist Academy, St. Theresa A and Kanana Fou A.
For the boys, its defending champs South Pacific Academy at No. 1, Pacific Horizon at No. 2, Peteli Academy at No. 3 and Iakina Adventist Academy at No. 4.
Taumua expressed the association’s thanks to the Kanana Fou’s General Secretary, Rev. Reupena Alo, and president of the Seminary, Rev. Tafa Muasau, for allowing FFAS to use their field for the Private Elementary Schools soccer league.
“It is a continued partnership that we cherish because of the availability of their field to us,” Taumua said.
“I would like to ask all the parents and teams to please come and join us during the closing ceremony on November 27,” he continued. “Even if your team didn’t make the play-offs, we will have prizes for your team.”
Below are the full standings for each division.
GRADES 3-5 GIRLS
1. SOUTH PACIFIC ACADEMY
2. ST. THERESA
3. KANANA FOU A
4. SAMOA BAPTIST ACADEMY A
5. MARIST ST. FRANCIS
6. KANANA FOU B
7. SAMOA BAPTIST ACADEMY B
8. PETELI ACADEMY
9. IAKINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY
GRADES 3-5 BOYS
1. PACIFIC HORIZON
2. ST. THERESA
3. KANANA FOU B
4. PETELI ACADEMY
5. SAMOA BAPTIST ACADEMY
6. KANANA FOU A
7. IAKINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY
8. SOUTH PACIFIC ACADEMY A
9. MARIST ST. FRANCIS
10. TAIALA ACADEMY
11. SOUTH PACIFIC ACADEMY B
GRADES 6-8 GIRLS
1. PETELI ACADEMY
2. SAMOA BAPTIST ACADEMY
3. ST. THERESA A
4. KANANA FOU A
5. KANANA FOU B
6. MARIST ST. FRANCIS
7. ST. THERESA B
8. SOUTH PACIFIC ACADEMY
9. PACIFIC HORIZON
10. IAKINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY
GRADES 6-8 BOYS
1. SOUTH PACIFIC ACADEMY
2. PACIFIC HORIZON
3. PETELI ACADEMY
4. IAKINA ADVENTIST ACADEMY
5. ST. THERESA B
6. SAMOA BAPTIST ACADEMY
7. ST. THERESA A
8. KANANA FOU A
9. MARIST ST. FRANCIS
10. KANANA FOU B