The trio have been awarded the Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) Scholarship to attend the Auckland-based high school, which is highly regarded in terms of both sporting and academic achievements.
CIFA general secretary Mii Piri says the scholarship provides educational and footballing opportunities to youth from all across the Cook Islands, with past recipients including former CIFA technical director Tuka Tisam.
“It is a means of nuturing emerging talents through the provision of financial aid to attend training sessions while studying at Mount Albert Grammar,” Piri says.
“An opportunity like this comes only once in a lifetime and Tiputoa, Samuel and Matapo have the capability to increase their football abilities, education and confidence while attending Mount Albert Grammar.”
The trio have all been through CIFA’s U-16 Boy’s Academy, which brings talented players together to be coached in preparation for international tournaments, and all three have gone on to represent their country at U-17 level.
Tiputoa and Samuel have a strong background in football and were key members of the 2013 Cook Islands U-17 squad. They won the 2013 Rarotonga Premier Men’s Championship with club Puaikura FC and went on to represent the Cook Islands with the team at the OFC Champions League Preliminary in October 2014.
Matapo has also pulled on the green jersey at U-17 level, competing at last month’s OFC U-17 Championship in Samoa. From the village of Avatiu, the 15-year-old has grown up playing for the local side.

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