The following 18 players have been selected by National Coach David Brand as part of the National U15 team to play in the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland in July 2003.
It is interesting to note that 3 players from the big island Savaii have been included in the squad with also 11 players having been developed through the Footy Kids Programme. This is a huge testimony to the value and success of quality development programmes.
Eight players have been named as reserves and will continue to work with the full squad right up to departure. This will allow cover for injury and sickness whilst also maintaining competition for places in case of lack of form etc.
Overall the squad is very inexperienced with many only having played a handful of competitive matches. However the raw talent has great potential and will form the basis of the next U17 Team for the U17 World Cup Qualifiers in 2005.
The team will depart Apia on July 8th for England via Los Angeles where they will go into camp in the north west of England and will play 3 warm up games prior to the tournament in Northern Ireland, beginning 19th July.
At present games against Everton and Nottingham Forest are confirmed. The tournament finishes on July 25th with Samoa drawing Preston North End, Livingston and County Armagh in the group qualifying stages.
A finalised itinerary will be available shortly.
National Coach David Brand is available for further comment on +685 26504.
or on email [email protected] or [email protected]
Players School Club
1 Romeo Mapu Sagaga Secondary School Footy Kids
2 Seti Talalelei Savaii - Leiififi College Footy Kids-Sinamoga
3 Titi Esau Leiififi College Footy Kids-Togafuafua
4 Tominiko Tokuma Maluafou College Footy Kids-Sogi
5 Werner Tuatagaloa St Joseph's College Apia Youth
6 Sale Eteuati St Joseph's College Togafuafua
7 Steve Chan Chiu Robert Louis Stevenson College
8 Aki Seleva Avele College Footy Kids
9 Tuula Puleaiga Savaii - Leiififi College Footy Kids-Sinamoga
10 Jerry Aoelua Leifiifi College Footy Kids-Lepea
11 Barry Taala Avele College Footy Kids
12 Eric Falatolu Leifiifi College Footy Kids
13 Ioanne Siatulau Leifiifi College Footy Kids
14 Fale Tuasivi Savaii - Mataevave College
15 Sopo Fakaua Vaimauga College Footy Kids-Moataa
16 Keil Burich Robert Louis Stevenson
17 Ski Ng Lam St Joseph's College Moamoa
18 Alo Mauinatu Leifiifi College
National Coach - David Brand
Assistant Coach - Malo Vaga
Non-travelling reserves
1 Owen Fidow St Joseph's College Kiwi
2 Isaako Faafete Leiififi College Saleimoa
3 Tevita Hoeflich Leiififi College Kiwi
4 Max Gwan Leiififi College
5 Desma Liaina Leiififi College Footy Kids
6 Pati Tuavae Faleata Secondary Footy Kids-Saleimoa
7 Taafili Punimata Leiififi College Footy Kids-Moataa
8 Tauinaola Seu Aana Secondary
Photo: Samoa national coach, David Brand