Development of soccer with the country’s elite players is continuing in the Cook Islands with the attendance of two youngsters on partially paid CIFA scholarships at New Zealand schools.
Nikao Sokattak player Nathan Tisam and Tupapa-Maraerenga player Grover Harmon will be in New Zealand for this school year – Tisam attending Mount Albert Grammar and Harmon at Auckland Boys Grammar.
The two are part of an ongoing Cook Islands Football Association development initiative that allows for elite players to enhance their football abilities and at the same time improve on their education.
It started in 2003 with CIFA and the parents sharing the costs of the scholarship.
Tisam, who is returning for his second year at Mt Albert (Level 3 NCEA), is looking forward to increasing his soccer skills. Last year the 18-year-old played for the school’s second eleven team and in the Auckland competition ended the season with no losses and just one draw.
The right wing and left back player has plans on continuing with his education at university as well.
For Harmon, this will be his first year away for school and he admits to being just a little nervous about the prospect.
The 17-year-old midfield player says that this year “should be one hell of an experience and I want to be better at soccer and improve my education”.
The two schools in question are soccer rivals so Tisam and Harmon may get to spend some time together on the field this year. Regardless, the pair are grateful to CIFA for the opportunity and to their families for their support.
As part of this scholarship programme, CIFA now has two players playing in state league football teams in Australia – Tuka Tisam and Geoffrey Strickland.
Some players have also gone on to Otago and Auckland universities and are in the second and third year of their studies