Football Federation Samoa is putting its might behind talented local coaches as it looks to build a strong base for coach and player development in its own backyard.
One of those talented young up-and-comers is Taavale Tavita, from the village of Papaloloa, who was recently selected as one of the two coaches to take the reins at the FFS Centre of Excellence where she is charged with the U-15 female players.
The Centre of Excellence is a new programme designed by the FFS technical department to provide elite training and mentoring to young footballers with the intention that those players will go on to represent their country. It is a key component in the FFS technical strategy which is primarily focused on the development of youth players. The current crop includes 30 boys and 24 girls that were selected during the FFS All Star Youth Representative League.
Twenty-year-old Tevita is currently attending the National University of Samoa and still finds the time to plan and run two sessions a week for her players.
A naturally gifted sportswoman, Tevita’s passion for football was roused as a 14-year-old after her mother convinced her to give the game a try. She quickly adapted to the game, going on to represent Samoa during the 2011 OFC Women’s U-20 Championship held in New Zealand. Tevita began forming close ties to FFS as a volunteer and has gone on to complete the OFC D Licence and C Licence for coaches.
“Receiving this position is a great honour but also a significant step with big responsibilities,” Tevita says, of her first foray in charge of a FFS development programme.
“However my passion is football and therefore I am determined to give the best I can offer to assist in the development of youngsters in this programme.”
Tevita has also been tasked with the role of assistant coach of the Samoa U-17 women’s side which will participate in the OFC Women’s U-17 Championship in Auckland, New Zealand next year.
For more on Samoan football go to www.footballsamoa.ws

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