Holeva have been crowned champion of Vava’u’s first-ever Just Play Fun Futsal Tournament 2021 after taking out both the U-8 and U-12 grades.
Holeva is one of the new communities involved in the Just Play Programme, and they drew on all the skills and lessons learned through the programme as they made history with their two victories.
Holeva were triumphant in the U-8 against ‘Utui with a score of 5-4. Meanwhile, in the U-12 final, Holeva defeated Okoa with a score 4-3.
Despite the challenges that arose from futsal being very new to all the communities involved in the tournament, Holeva strived for the best ensuring their coach and the people of Holeva community would be really proud of the great result the children have achieved.
Pulupaki Finau, coach for Holeva team, said: “This is the first time for our community to win a tournament in any sport and it’s been a pleasure for me and the people of the village to see how amazing and talented our children are, during the tournament.
“I am very proud and happy for my team and the great achievement they made. From the good result, I am willing to keep on pushing these children to get involved in any programme about soccer and to support them so that they may have good opportunities for their future lives,” Finau said.
Captain for Holeva team U-12 said: “I am very happy together with my teammates for winning this fun tournament, and this motivates me to love football.”
Soane Malia Mailangi, coordinator of the tournament said: “The eight-week tournament went well and parents, friends and the community were very encouraging to the children during the game. Not only that, coaches empowered the children to play and do their best even if they will make it to win or lose.”
Eight teams made it to the top eight rounds in U-8 which includes Holeva, Ta’anea, Mataika, Feletoa, Longomapu, Okoa, Utui and ‘Utungake. For the U-12, are the same community of the U-8 except Tefisi that were able to made it to the top eight. From that, four teams made it to the final, so from both grades Holeva team took away the victory.
Sixteen communities involved in this tournament for eight weeks. It was a fun tournament, parents and the people from the communities were very supportive and very cheerful for their children. Volunteers are still excited to help and keep pushing the children to chase their dreams in football.
Even the communities which did not make it to the finals are still happy with what result they came up with, and that they have learn new skills and new things from this new game of soccer called futsal.
The Just Play Programme would like to acknowledge its partners, the Australian and New Zealand Governments, the UEFA Foundation for Children and the UNICEF, the Australian Aid and Team Up, the Football Australia along with the Tongan Government through the Ministries of Health and Education. Without their ongoing support this programme would not be possible.
