Saturday 11th July, kicked off the first Soccer Sisters Festival since the Government of Samoa SOE for Savaii, an initiative that started in 2012 supported by OFC and FIFA’s Women Football Development Programme. The Festival is a One Day event for Girls and Women and is in line with FFS objective which is to increase the participation of women and girls in football at all levels.
In 2012 FFS held the first ever Soccer Sisters Festival to attract girls and women interested in playing the sport. The participation of women and young girls in the festivals is also a testament to the efforts of FFS to address gender issues and to encourage girls and mothers of all ages to socialize, keep fit and enjoy football.
The festivals comprises of small-sided games and individual tournaments. With the support of Just Play Programme who will be joining Women’s Football in this initiative, all participants will be engaged into Just Play activities including workshops on how to keep safe and washing hands, gender quality, child protection, social inclusion and health and wellness supported by Just Play Coaches and in addition they will be provided with refreshments, water, transportation and Just Play wristbands with social messages on it.
FFS Savaii Manager and Head of Technical Papalii Tala Salamasina stated that the Soccer Sisters Festivals plays an important role in the Women’s Football Calendar. It enables FFS to determine the number of girls involved in weekly FFS activities such as player development, goalkeeping, women’s football, elite football and refereeing.
The programme of the day will start with the welcoming remarks by FFS Savaii Spokesperson Mrs Unasa Opileen Maiava, following by an opening prayer by Deacon Ikenasio Lui, and the Keynote Address to be delivered by Mrs Emily Young, Head of Women’s Football and Executive Committee Member to end formalities followed by the Festival which will begin at 9am and concludes at 2pm.
The Girls Football Festivals are initiated by FIFA and enforced by Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) where FFS Women’s Football Development believes that it is necessary to host the Soccer Sisters Festival to develop and maintain interest of girls in football. This will be the first soccer sister festival since 2018 and more Soccer Sisters festivals are scheduled to be held for the remaining 6 months of the year.
Football Clubs, Primary Schools and Communities selected for this one-day event are: Gataivai, Vailoa Palauli, Sili, Puleia, Maota, Satupaitea, Iva Primary School, Lalomalava Primary School, Sapapalii Primary School, Salelologa SC, Mackay SC, Iva Lions SC, Saipipi SC, Lalomalava SC, Vaiafai SC and Sapapalii SC.
The next Soccer Sister Festival is scheduled to be held in Upolu on the 8th August 2020 at the Upolu East District.
