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62 teams competing in 2017 Summer Youth League


A Pago Youth player of the 7-9 mixed age group celebrates after his team scores a goal on July 4, 2017 during opening day of the FFAS Summer Youth League at Pago Park Soccer Stadium.  [FFAS MEDIA/Brian Vitolio]A player of the Pago Youth mixed 7-9 age group shoots and scores a goal on July 4, 2017 during opening day of the FFAS Summer Youth League at Pago Park Soccer Stadium.  [FFAS MEDIA/Brian Vitolio]Black Roses players of the mixed 4-6 category in action during a game of the 2017 FFAS Summer Youth League on July 4 at Pago Park Soccer Stadium.  [FFAS MEDIA/Brian Vitolio]

July 4th is usually a holiday with fireworks galore, but on this day, it was a holiday of shouts and screams from parents, to shouts and screams of excitement from more than 600 children ages 4-15 during the kickoff of the 2017 FFAS Summer Youth League.

“It is great to see a big increase of teams competing in this year’s competition, and on that note, I officially open our 2017 Summer Youth League!” said FFAS President, Sen. Faiivae Iuli Alex Godinet.

“Good luck to all teams, and the main point is for all of you to have fun during our competition for the youth,” Faiivae added.

62 teams participated on opening day of the association’s annual tournament for the youth that is held during the three-month long summer break from school.

“Last year we had about 40 teams, and this year that number has increased to 62, a big jump in numbers for us,” said FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua. “It is a good sign that our development is growing, and seeing the youth compete with their parents urging them on makes all this hard work worth it for FFAS and our staff.”

The age groups for the competition are 4-6 mixed, 7-9 mixed, 10-12 for boys and girls and 13-15 for boys and girls.

All games for youth from the ages of 4-12 are non-competitive games, while wins and losses will be counted for the 13-15 youth.

There are 10 teams in the mixed 4-6 group, 14 in the 7-9 mixed, 12 in the boys 10-12, 7 in the girls 10-12, 12 in the boys 13-15 and 7 in the girls same 13-15.

For the boys 13-15, they will have one round-robin competition with a top four playoffs. For the girls, it will be two rounds, followed by the crowning of the team with the best record or most points.

There are six days slated for the competition.