Registration begins this week for the Troy and Theodora Polamalu Foundation Fund’s Youth Sports and Academic Camp set for June, where for the first time three local students will win a trip to participate in football, volleyball or academic camp on the U.S. mainland.

In a news release sent to Samoa News last Saturday night, the Polamalu Foundation Fund announced its support of the June 23- 27 third bi-annual youth camp, which officially carries the name, Fa'a Samoa Camp, as a division of a larger program, the Fa’a Samoa Initiative.

What originally began as a football camp for boys in its first year (2011), expanded to include a volleyball division and academic and life skills workshop for the athletes in 2013, now features an enhanced Academic and Life Skills Division as well as a comprehensive medical mission for 2015.

“In working with [American] Samoan government officials, medical experts and educators we have identified several needs within the community,” Troy Polamalu said. “It has always been Theodora's and my intention to leave behind a lasting, positive impact in my country of heritage.

He said the expansion of the Fa'a Samoa Initiative with a full Academic Division and medical mission, is the next step in helping the talented and driven youth of American Samoa to take things to the next level.

The Academic and Life Skills Division offers a five-day engaging, multi-sensory workshop for 9th graders and up. It aims to help all high school students on-island to advance their academic, personal and career development in age-specific curricula.

This year for the first time, one student from each division — Football, Volleyball, and Academics — will win a trip to the US mainland to participate in a similar program. The winners will be chosen from those students that exemplify the goals the Fa'a Samoa Initiative aims to instill in the American Samoan youth.

“It is our vision to engage the entire island in a weeklong celebration of academics and athletics while providing medical care,” Troy Polamalu said. “The initiative will culminate in a festival and concert celebrating the glories of the Polynesian culture that I am proud to be a part of.”

According to the news release, students interested in signing up for either the Football, Volleyball or Academic Division of the Fa'a Samoa Initiative can obtain application forms from their school counselors and coaches starting the week of Feb. 2nd and May 1 is the deadline to sign-up for the Fa'a Samoa Initiative.

Among the team traveling to American Samoa in June 2015 with the Polamalus, are John Kessel, Director of Sport Development of USA Volleyball and voted one of the 50 most influential people in sports in the past 100 years by Volleyball Magazine; Kennedy Polamalu, running back coach for the UCLA Bruins; Kalani Sitake, defensive coordinator for the Oregon State University Beavers football team; Pete Kwiatkowski, defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies football team and former defensive coordinator of the Boise State Broncos football team; T.C. McCartney, running back coach for the Cleveland Browns; and Doug Elisaia, strength and conditioning coach for the University of Utah's football team.

According to the news release, contacts for more information regarding on-island registration:

•            ASHAA Director and Volleyball Division on-island liaison: Tumua Matu'u, (684) 733- 6314 / tumuamatuu@hotmail.com

•            Sports Commissioner and Football Division on-island liaison: Ethan Lake, (684) 770 1006 / americansamoasports@gmail.com