After months of negotiation and preparation the Football Federation Samoa is happy to announce the departure of three young talented footballers to pursue their academic and football education in New Zealand.
Mr Falaniko Naumea, Asi Stanley Mamea, and Jarvis Filimalae left the country last night after being awarded scholarships to attend Hastings Boys High School.
FFS spokesperson Martin Tamasese acknowledged the special opportunity this partnership with Hastings Boys (HBHS) would offer these three young local boys.
“It’s great to have these kinds of opportunities for our local players. I think it’s a great chance for them to get more exposure and experience not only in football but on the education side as well,” said Mr. Tamasese.
Seeing the boys off was an emotional occasion for parents and families present at the airport.
“I’m grateful my prayer has finally been answered. I’ve been teaching and training my son since he was 7 years old,” Alastise Filimalae said. But this is just the beginning; I wish him the best.
As for Asi Stanley Mamea, he thanked his mother for getting him into the sport at a young age.
“My mother is my role model; she would take me to her trainings when I was young. I will miss her but I am excited and want to make her proud,” he said.
The FFS website says the three local boys were born and raised with football backgrounds. Former members of FFS Fun Football Program, Centre for Development, Centre of Excellence, U17 and U19 National teams.
The scholarships are part of FFS’s strategic objective to create pathways for the football community such as its players, referees and administrators. FFS working on securing further opportunity for its other talented players.