Football Federation Samoa will be sending its first ever football scholarship recipient to New Zealand.
Pele Tamaolaefale is a 15 year old soccer enthusiast and is a key player in the recent success of the Samoa Nation Under 17s team that took part in the OFC Preliminary Tournament.
The team went to secure a spot for Samoa in the OFC Championships to be held in Tahiti next year.
Tamaolaefale’s position as goal keeper for Samoa has impressed many including scouts from overseas, considering the position as the last line of defense in any team. He calls it the core of any soccer team.
Tamaolaefale was born on February 25, 2001. He is from the village of Vaivase Tai and he is currently studying at Maluafou College.
His selection as the first Samoan school boy for a football scholarship in New Zealand makes his story the first for its kind in soccer and is considered a door opener for many other players in future if they are deemed successful.
“Soccer has always been part of my family,” he said.
His family ties to soccer is why he idolizes his father who encouraged his journey along the way.
“He is one of the most important people in my soccer career. He gives me the best advice. Off the field he tells me to do the right thing and be an honest, straight-up guy.' And on the field: 'Play soccer as simply as possible,” he said.
Tamaolaefale began playing organized youth soccer at the age of 7.
He is one of fourteen children.
His passion for football started when a village friend asked him to join in a friendly game of soccer. It from then that he pursued the sport, and now he has the biggest chance anyone has ever had in Samoa for a scholarship overseas.
Technical Director Martin Tamasese said Tamaolaefale’s selection wasn’t easy. Many candidates were eligible to take on the opportunity after careful scrutiny by the FFS and OFC Technical Department.
Tamaolaefale will attend One Tree Hill College, where he will reside with 10 candidates from the 11 member associations around the region.
His performance in New Zealand will determine his return and continuation of his scholarship after the first six months of his studies. The Oceania Education Program is funded by the Oceania Football Confederation.
Photo courtesy of FFS - Angela Pauga