AMERICAN SAMOA STUDENT ATHLETES TAKE PART IN FOOTBALL CAMP AND ALL STAR GAME
June 10th, 2004, UTULEI
Local high school football coach, Mr. Jayson Magalei will be one of the five (5) local high school coaches that will be escorting over 50 local student athletes to the Urban Meyer Football camp in Utah, for a second consecutive year. In addition to the Utah based football camp, a group of 9 Seniors, who graduated last month, will be playing in the 2nd Annual Kava Bowl All Star game also held in Utah.
"This will be one of the most productive summers that our players will ever experience." Stated Coach Magalei.
The Urban Meyer Football camp is held in Utah by the football coaches of the University of Utah. At this camp there are hundreds of players from all over California and Utah. It is a camp that is set up to increase skill and to learn some of the latest techniques in the game of football. The Utah camp coaches and coordinators remember American Samoa well. They should, American Samoa came out on top as they beat all other teams that they scrimmaged against at the camp. This year, the American Samoa players are looking at defending their title of Camp Champions of last year.
The history of the Kava Bowl All Star game is similar to the Samoa Bowl All Star game that was held at the Veteran's Memorial Stadium, here in American Samoa on January 1 of this year. Bringing the Hawaii All Star team to play the local American Samoa High School Athletics Association (ASHSAA) All Stars, was a huge success and a first time experience. Kava Bowl was originally set up to bring together Polynesian football players from all over the West Coast, Hawaii, and elsewhere to take part in an experience to play together in a final all star game before beginning of their college careers. This year they have included American Samoa. "This is the first year that American Samoa has ever been invited to the Kava Bowl and hopefully it will be the beginning of many more opportunities." commented Coach Magalei.
All of the nine all star players have accepted the invitation and their air fares were paid for by Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono. "It is important that these athletes experience the sport of football on a level that will challenge their skills, talents and knowledge of the game against harder standards. Taking part in this exhibition will bring them together with all other Polynesian all stars in the U.S. and from other island communities", stated Governor Togiola. "I am happy to support these players, helping them move closer to their dreams. I ask them to play well, play hard and have fun."
Your only ticket into the Kava Bowl as a player, is to by invitation only. This year, Maselino Maselino, Samoana High School football coach, helped with the selection of our local high school players. By sending the Kava Bowl player selection committee video tapes of our local football games, many players have gained the much needed exposure needed to help boost them into the next level of play, college.
"The American Samoa Government has supported these efforts tremendously and we are much appreciative of contributions made by Governor Togiola and the Department of Education." states Coach Magalei.
The Department of Education is paying for Urban Meyer Camp fees and registration for all players, while Governor Togiola has sponsored in full the air fares for the Kava Bowl players.
All coaches and players will be departing the Territory on Friday June 11, 2004 and will return on the first week of July.