The laughter, fun, culture and football is on its way to Noumea.
Stade Pentecost and Stade Numa Daly will host the 3rd edition of the OFC Youth Festival and the scene is set for the biggest and best event yet.
Teams from around Oceania will gather in Noumea in a spirit of peace and cultural understanding at a football tournament where winning isn’t the most important element.
Erakor Primary School are making the trip from Vanuatu and their 14 strong squad is excited about a trip they will never forget.
Created in 1981 after the Independence, Erakor is the only bilingual primary school from Vanuatu. Erakor was established when two primary school’s merged – the French school created in 68 with the English school created in 1950.
Last year, Erakor School finished second in the national “together kids” tournament which has recently been dominated by Abuanga’s school from Pentecost.
The school plays and train on the close-by community field where Erakor’s Football Team also plays.
Erakor is coached by Willie Jacob who has coached teams of youths from Port Vila’s Amical FC Club. Last year, he also trained Tusker Futsall Club and the “Westtan Verts” FC club in Port Vila.
Jacob singled out Tony Kaltack, Jacky Ruben and Yvanah Kasso as key components of the Erakor machine.
Kaltack is a two footed offensive midfielder, while Ruben is a central defender and Kasso a midfielder who finished second in a national juggling competition.
The Erakor Village has been among the first villages to play football in Vanuatu around 1930. Today, Erakor’s club plays in the First League within the Port Vila Association Championship. They won three times in Port Vila before Tafea FC dominated the domestic scene.
Erakor – Vanuatu
1. Kerry Kaltang
2. Tony Kaltack
3. Tonly Kalotang
4. Remy Kalsarap
5. Yvanah Kassou
6. Kenneth Godshem
7. Erickan Kalonuk
8. Kaltsev Kaltack
9. Menita Tasaruru