Ads by Google Ads by Google

FFAS Summer Youth ends with prizes for all

There were prizes galore for all of the more than 500 2013 FFAS Summer Youth League participants during the last day on Saturday, July 13 at Pago Park Soccer Stadium.

 

FFAS President Fai’ivae Alex Godinet and executive committee members Sandra Fruean, Rev. Ioane Evagelia, Amio Mavaega-Luvu and Michelle Sasala were on hand to close the competition and also helped hand out the prizes.

 

“The number of participants for our league is a little more than 500 and that number alone makes it a very successful Summer Youth competition,” said Fai’ivae. “We thank you the parents for your continued support and hope that your children continue to play soccer for a very long time.”

 

For the children competing in the 6-8 age group, each child received a gift bag that included a compass set, coloring book with coloring crayons, four notebooks and pencils for school as well as a snack and drink.

 

The 9-11 children received the same prize as well, but without a gift bag, coloring book and crayons.

 

“We used to give out food gift certificates for these ages but the committee and I, along with our staff, decided to instead help the parents prepare their children for the upcoming school year with a compass set and books,” Fai’ivae explained.

 

There were approximately 230 participants in the 6-8 and 9-11 age groups.

 

“This is the second year in which we’ve done this, giving out these kinds of prizes,” Fai’ivae pointed out.

 

For the competitive age groups — Boys 12-14, Girls U-17 and Boys 15-17 — the race for the championship title for each division went down to the wire with the day’s final games being the decider.

 

In the 12-14 Vaiala Tongan held off Taputimu Youth by goals differential despite losing to them earlier in the day.  Vaiala Tongan’s Chris Taimovai Jr.

 

For the Girls U-17, Green Bay came from the middle of the pack to steal the title away from the Atu’u Broncos.  Lei Amisone of Green Bay was selected as the division’s MVP.

 

Finally, in the Boys 15-17, Ilaoa & To’omata had led for much of the five-day competition before Lion Heart snatched it right out of their hands.  Ilaoa & To’omata’s Sefo Ulugia was named MVP of the division.

 

Trophies were handed out for the first and second places and each team that participated received a box of chips and a case of soda.

 

“The technical department and I wanted to make a change in format for the older age group, not counting the Boys 12-14, and are very happy with the outcome,” explained FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua.  “The games were very competitive and will only serve to better our preparations for future OFC youth competitions such as the U-17 and U-20s.”

 

Next up for FFAS is its main competition, the National League which is scheduled to kick off on August 3.