Feast of football

Parents and supporters were treated to a feast of football on Thursday as the Cook Islands Football Association hosted a festive day for primary school students at the annual one-day football tournament for the more talented grade 4, 5 and 6 students.

The games took place at the CIFA complex in Matavera starting with the B Boys division kicking off the day’s proceedings. The weather perfected on the day for the games as the youngsters ran a whirl for all those who came to cheer them on. A jubilant Takitumu B Boys team was crowned champions in their division while the Avarua B Girls team retained the champion’s trophy in the 2012 CITC Coca-Cola One Day Primary School Tournament.

In the B Boys division, Takitumu beat Avarua after a nil all draw at the final whistle to take both sides into a penalty shoot-out to determine a winner.

An amped up Takitumu side confidently placed four shots behind the Avarua goal keeper, while Avarua could only manage to score one goal sending the Takitumu players, teachers and supporters in to a jubilant frenzy. Avarua took out second place while Avatea beat Papaaroa by two goals to nil to take out the third place trophy. In the B Girls category Arorangi took second place while Nikao seized the third place trophy after winning their game against Papaaroa Primary School by one goal to nil.

In the B Mixed division St Joseph Primary School retained their title for another year, after winning this title for the last three years. Rutaki Primary School took out second place and Avatea third place.

In the C Mixed division last year’s winners Avarua Primary School faced Takitumu Primary School in the final. Avarua who were unbeaten in Thursday’s tournament struck five unanswered goals against Takitumu to retain the title for another year. Imanuela Akateimia Primary School claimed third place over St Joseph’s winning their game by five goals to three in a penalty shoot-out.George George of CITC Coca-Cola presented the trophies after the final games with the students cheering on as their schools claimed honours. Encouragement and cheering from the parents and supporters were evident on the day as they watched the youngsters play fun football games. Tony Jamieson, technical firector for Cook Islands Football, said that the tournament turned out to be a great event not only for the students but also for parents and supporters.

“The day’s event went really well and we are pleased to see the youngsters having a great time playing football amongst each other,” he said.

“Everyone that attended was treated to a fine display of individual skills, exciting team work and fair play.”

The Cook Islands Football Association would like to thank CITC Coca-Cola for their support for this event and all the schools, students, parents and teachers for the continuous participation. See you all again next year.

Results from Thursday’s tournament are as follows: B Boys - 1st Takitumu, 2nd Avarua, 3rd Avatea; B Girls - 1st Avarua, 2nd Arorangi, 3rd Nikao; B Mixed - 1st St Joseph, 2nd Rutaki, 3rd Avatea; C Mixed - 1st Avarua, 2nd Takitumu, 3rd Imanuela.