Volunteers committed to working with youth receive Track and Field certification

The volunteers and coaches who participated in the two week Certification Class for Level 1 coaches in the sport of Athletics (Track and Field) that took place at the CCCAS Hall in Fagatogo over the Christmas holidays. The class concluded this past Monday, and high school Athletics are set to begin at the end of the month. See story in Sports section. [courtesy photo]

High school Track and Field is gearing up for its official start at the end of the month, and a two-week Certification Class was completed yesterday for Level 1 coaches in the sport. The class was conducted at the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa’s hall in Fagatogo.

“Despite the holidays, there was a consistent attendance of ten individuals who participated in the course,” said Clayton ‘Boom’ Mahuka of the Ohana Running Club and the Physical Education Office of Curriculum Instruction and Accountability.

“These folks are volunteers committed to working with the youth in the community and they took the opportunity to learn more about Track and Field in order to work with American Samoa Athletics (ASA) to build the sport on island,” said Mahuka. The training was conducted by Deanna Fuimaono of the ASA who is also the ASA’s certified lecturer.

“Athletics is a late specialization sport that takes long term commitment, with athletes reaching their peak in their mid twenties. It is not for every sports minded person, but the rewards are there and the conditioning and fitness rewards are for a lifetime. It also enhances performances in all sports,” explained Mahuka. Topics covered in the training included, athletics coaching philosophy, basic anatomy, the five- step athletic development plan and practical demonstrations,” he said.

According to Mahuka, the ASA is planning a Track Meet tentatively scheduled for Monday January 21, for the coaches who participated, along with their track clubs. Mahuka would like the public to know that the American Samoa High School Athletic Association Track and Field season has a scheduled starting date of January 28 and Coach Mahuka would like everyone to come out in support of the the newest sport on island—our track and field athletes.