The newest game in town is making history by participating in the largest Oceania Handball tournament ever held, taking place this December in Wellington New Zealand. The invitational IHF (International Handball Federation) Continental Trophy will see ten U19 National Federations compete for the right to represent Oceania in the U19 World Championships.

The ten competing teams, members of the 16-member Oceania Continent Handball Federation (OCEF) are American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu.

American Samoa Handball Association, ASHA has been training longer than its existence as the recognized National Federation of Handball by the ASNOC, which began in November of 2013.

"We started with about 40 Lupelele kids playing after school and from there we have been able to expand the game to include athletes up to 20 years old,” stated ASHA President Carl Sagapolutele Floor.

Handball is normally played on a court 40 meters long by 20 meters wide with six players per team who attempt to score more goals than the other. The goal, 10'x6' is protected by a goal keeper who, unprotected must stop a ball, slightly smaller than a volleyball which more often than not can be clocked at speeds of 80 mph. Two 30 minute halfs separated by a ten minute break constitute a game. In the case of a tie, an overtime period is realized.

"I saw the game played at Gannon University when I went to see my son graduate and thought— this is a great game for American Samoa. It’s fun, competitive and there’s contact" said Floor.

Thirteen young men make up the men’s squad, led by Team Captains Louis Aquimbag, Frank Fonoti and Rhys Fa'amausili. James Lene is the court Captain with Thompson Aoao, John Muliaga, Alex Toma, Tani Peleti, Paul Fua, Brandon Tupufia, Donovan Tasaloa and Sam Satila as goal keepers. Tulei Bode will accompany the team as waterboy.

"Our team is young and inexperienced but I have no doubt we will be competitive. We’ve been training every weekday for almost eight months,” stated assistant head coach Francis Kasiano.

Our women’s team is led by Captains Phoebe Fenene and Stephanie Floor. Mareta and Ianeta Bode, Danielle Floor, Temple Fuimaono, Loimata Savea, Raylesha Masiuli, Angel Tanoa and goal keeper Liza Tanoa round out the team.

ASHA is sending four coaches and two referees to participate in certification seminars held every evening during the competition week. Leanive Saifoloi, Jane Masiuli, Francis Kasiano and Leka Bode will be attending the coaches seminar while Oceania Continent Handball Federation Chairman of Playing Rules and Referees Commission ASHA VP Chuck Nelson and DOE Physical Education Coordinator Valusia Talatiana attend the referees seminar. President and Head Coach Carl Sagapolutele Floor and Head of Delegation James McGuire will also get certified as coaches.

"We need to take advantage of this opportunity and bring back as many coaches and referees as we can. The best way to develop and promote our sport is to insure the quality of our coaching and officiating staff,” noted Sports Development Officer Colin Bode. "All of our captains are also getting certified in coaching and refereeing as well. They will have employment opportunities in the future nationally and in time, internationally. The sky is the limit in our sport.”

The men’s team opens up at 11:00am December 8 against Vanuatu while the women play Australia at 3:00pm.

The games will be fed live to New Zealand Handball Youtube. Updates can also be found on the Face Book page American Samoa Handball Association.

The winner of Oceania IHF Continental Trophy will move on and compete against the winners of each continent.

Source: Handball Assn media release