Leaving Only Vava’u Centre to be Launched This Week
Tonga’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS) officially launched its three TDS Centres in Tongatapu on Saturday, 10th August 2024. This milestone follows the pilot program led by the Vahe-Loto Centre, which began in January with the aim of assessing the program’s progress in adherence to its curriculum and guidelines.
The pilot program ran for three months, culminating in a TDS Mini Tournament. This event provided an opportunity for coaches from other two centres in Tongatapu to scout promising players. To further prepare for the official launch, a three-day Refresher Course was conducted from Wednesday, 31st July to Friday, 2nd August, involving TDS Coaches from all centres, including those from the Vava’u Centre.
The launch of the three Tongatapu centres was a resounding success, highlighted by TDS players gathering in Loto-Tonga, proudly donning their respective centre colors: Green for Vahe-Loto, Blue for Vahe-Hahake, and Yellow for Vahe-Kolo/Hihifo.
Hemaloto Polovili, the Manager of the Tonga Talent Development Scheme, explained the program’s structure to the TFA Website during the launch. The TDS program is now divided into two divisions: one for 10-12-year-olds, known as the Development Centre, and another for 13-16-year-olds, called the Talent Training Centre.
“Today marks the launch of the 13-16-year-old division, known as the Talent Training Centre,” Hemaloto stated. “Later, the 10-12-year-old division will join, training two days a week. Monday and Wednesday will be training days for the Development Centre, while Tuesday and Thursday will be for the Talent Training Centre.”
The program is set to commence this week, with players joining their clubs over the weekend to compete in the TFA Challenge Cup Youth divisions.
Vahe-Loto TD Coach and current National Team Goalkeeper, Semisi ‘Otukolo expressed the significance of his role in the program. “I am happy to be part of this program as a coach because I want to give these young, talented players what I missed during my preparation as a youth. I hope to develop them to be better than myself and to represent our national teams,” ‘Otukolo shared.
Two young talents, 13-year-old Sione ‘Aho of Nukuhetulu and 14-year-old Touna Tupoumalohi of Ha’ateiho, expressed their excitement at being selected to participate in the TDS program. “I am very thankful that the coaches scouted me because I really love this game. I want to further my knowledge and skills, and hopefully, one day I can play like my role model, Messi, in the big league,” Sione said.
Touna echoed this sentiment, saying, “I’m happy to be part of TDS because I always wanted to play in the National team. Now that I’m joining this program, my dreams can become a reality, and I can play for the Mataliki in the future.”
During the successful launch, training gear, equipment, and First Aid kits were presented by the President of the Tonga Football Association, Lord Ve’ehala to the Vahe-Kolo/Hihifo and Vahe-Hahake Centres, as Vahe-Loto had already received theirs in January.
The TDS program will now shift focus to launching the final Centre in Vava’u this weekend.
End.
