Football prizegiving awards best of 2018
Samoan football clubs, players and referees won shares of $64,800 tala at the Football Federation of Samoa (F.F.S.) annual Upolu Prize Giving yesterday afternoon.
Referee Maria Salamasina was also recognised for being appointed to the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year.
The money comes from international football federation FIFA, and is split amongst the prizewinners
F.F.S. competitions manager Papalii Laautuivanu Le Mamea said the Samoan federation want to develop every club in the country.
“This allows them to purchase gear for the clubs,” he said.
“It’s almost a bit of a Christmas present for them.”
Awards were given to the top four clubs in under-17s, under-20s, 5-a-side, 7-a-side, senior first division and premier division competitions for both men and women.
The women’s competitions across the board received less prize money than the men’s.
For example, men’s Premier champions Kiwi FC received $6,000 tala where the women’s Premier champions Faatoia United received only $4000 tala.
Le Mamea said the prizes are based on the number of teams playing in that specific competition, and therefore the number of games they play.
“F.F.S. wants all the clubs to have their own women’s teams, we’re aiming to increase the numbers across every division.
“It depends on how each club promote the opportunities to have women’s teams, to make more women want to participate.”
Le Mamea said the youth competitions feature a lot of young talent.
“Our main objective there is to feed the senior divisions.
“A lot of players in our U17 and U20 competitions went very well in the senior grade as well.
“From there we have the Pacific Games squads for our national teams.”
U17 Girls
Champions: Faatoia United
MVP: Illiana Alatise, Kiwi FC
Golden Boot: Vineta Faleaana, Kiwi FC
Golden Glove: Tafaoga Akari, Faatoia United
U17 Boys
Champions: Faleasiu SC
MVP: Bitner Tafili, Lupe o le Soaga
Golden Boot: Alex Falelua, Faleasiu SC
Golden Glove: Steve Vainalepa, Faleasiu SC
U20 Girls
Champions: Kiwi FC
MVP: Vineta Faleaana, Kiwi FC
Golden Boot: Shalom Fiso, Faatoia United
Golden Glove: Jecky Toma, Faatoia United
U20 Boys
Champions: Vaivase SC
MVP: Falaniko Lanuomea, Vaivase SC
Golden Boot: Ronnie Bourne, Vaitele SC
Golden Glove: Talita Hafoka, Moaula SC
5-a-side
Men’s Champions: Lupe o le Soaga
Women’s Champions: Faatoia United
7-a-side
Men’s Champions: Kiwi FC
Women’s Champions: Moataa SC
Women’s 1st Division
Champions: Lotopa SC
MVP: Paepae Tuitama, Faleasiu KS
Golden Boot: Paepae Tuitama, Faleasiu KS
Golden Glove: Leitu Ah Leong, Faleasiu KS
Men’s 1st Division
Champions: Faatoia United
MVP: Dean Faafetai, Faatoia United
Golden Boot: Jay Krishna, Sogi SC
Golden Glove: Rayman Tokuma, Sogi SC
Women’s Premier Division
Champions: Faatoia United
MVP: Melesete Aia, Faatoia United
Golden Boot: Hazel Peleti, Moataa FC
Golden Glove: Jecky Toma, Faatoia United
Men’s Premier Division
Champions: Kiwi FC
MVP: Albert Bell, Kiwi FC
Golden Boot: Samuelu Malo, Kiwi FC
Golden Glove: Semu Faimata, Kiwi FC
Best Female Coach of the Year: Lanuola Von Herderbrandt, Adidas SC
Best Male Coach of the Year: Martin Tamasese, Kiwi FC
Referee of the Year: Lematua Peti
Up and Coming Match Official 2018: Gerard Ionatana
Fair Play Award: Adidas SC