The Fa’a Samoa Initiative hosted by the Troy and Theodora Polamalu Foundation officially started yesterday morning with an opening ceremony held at the Department of Youth and Women Affairs (DYWA) gymnasium in Pago Pago. The gym was jam- pack with student-athletes, coaches, parents, and supporters of the initiative — the first to be held in American Samoa.

Flowing right into Day 1 activities, the football camp kicked off at the Veterans Memorial Stadium with the NFL Play 60 program, which started with the spotlight on kids — 6- 11 years old.

The first group of kids — ‘just now being introduced to football’ — were put through drills and activities to build their athleticism. Boys and girls mixed up in the group, some without shoes, but many with intense looks on their faces, as well as big smiles. At times, the coaches had problems calming the kids down, but it was all good — mission accomplished — to allow the kids to get a taste of what football is about.

The second group on the field was the AYFS group which is the intro football program we have in American Samoa to prep our young elementary student athletes for the high school level of play.

Then to close things off yesterday, the high school football teams from all over the island  were put to the test through drills and stations that focused on the right form of playing the game. They were also introduced to some college drills just to bring them up to speed with the next level of the sport, college ball.

Samoa News had the opportunity to interview some of the football coaches and former NFL players that are on island to help run the football category of the Troy and Theodora Polamalu Foundations Fa’a Samoa Initiative, and two of them mentioned that they wanted the best for our Samoan student athletes here on the rock.

Former Leone Lions linebacker Ben Aigamaua, who also played football for the University of Mississippi — ‘Ole Miss’ — is also one of the coaches who came down to assist in the Fa’aSamoa Initiative, and he told Samoa News, “I’m here on behalf of the University of Mississippi, to teach these young men the sport of football, as a way of giving back to the community because I was born and raised here in American Samoa.”

He added, “my main focus as a supporting cast to Troy and Theodora’s Fa’a Samoa Initiative, is to teach the student athletes on our island, the right and proper techniques to playing football.”

Aigamaua compared the blessings that the children of Samoa have today, and how American Samoa played on the gridiron back in the days, “I know back in the days we thought we were outstanding on the field, but with the help of Joe Salave’a’s football camps back then, I learned how to properly form up and play the game.”

He pointed out, “and now our kids have the opportunity to learn from the best coaches all over the United States as Troy’s way of giving back to the people of American Samoa – our Samoan student athletes today are blessed to learn from first hand experience with the off island coaches some of the short cuts and techniques to play the game.”

Former Arizona Cardinals Fullback – Reagan Maui’a who is on island for his fourth football camp told Samoa News “our mission this year has expanded compared to the past years we’ve been here. We are not only focusing on football and the athletic development of the kids, but we are also focusing on their education.”

He noted, “it’s important for us to let them know that, Education is the only way that they can go further and make things happen in their athletic careers.”

Maui’a has a special message that he wants to share with all the student athletes of American Samoa: “My message to you is to put God first in everything, believe in your abilities to learn and your abilities as an athlete. Believe in your abilities in education, because it’s the only way to take your athleticism further into what your aiming for.”

He concluded, “Respect your schools and just focus on education. It’s one of those things that we put aside sometimes but I can testify to all of you – I wouldn’t have made it into the NFL if it wasn’t for my education, so believe in your abilities to learn the same way you believe in your abilities to play football.”

Today is the second day of the Fa’a Samoa Initiative, which will feature more football action at the Veterans Memorial Stadium.

More photos in slideshow below, updated daily.