Hat trick for Tisam family

The Tisam family can brag with three brothers training in the national mens soccer team that will be heading to the Pacific Games in New Caledonia this August.

Tisam brothers Anoanga, Tuka and Nathan moved with their parents, Jonah and Violet Tisam from Papua New Guinea to Rarotonga almost 20 years ago and immediately started playing football.

Anoanga, Tuka and Nathan were introduced to the game of soccer almost as soon as they had learnt to walk and were soon competing in local soccer competitions.

That early start and enthusiastic embrace of competitive football meant the brothers gained plenty of experience by the time they were teenagers.

All three brothers have represented the Cook Islands in the under 17 mens age group and also in the national team.

They have several international games under their belt and will no doubt use their experience to stimulate the national team in the upcoming Waitakere match set to be played on Saturday August 20 and the Pacific Games.

Under the CIFA youth development programme, Tuka completed a football scholarship in Auckland at Mount Albert Grammar. He was later signed by the Australian State League club in the Brisbane Mens Premier League where he played for 12 months.

Tuka was contracted to Pine Rivers FC and played in the first team. He went on to play in San Francisco, USA for 8 months under a semi professional club San Francisco Seals.

I am excited about being selected to represent the Cooks again and the same goes for my brothers. The preparations have been challenging both physical and mentally but playing for my country and winning games will pay off, says Tuka.

The similarities with these brothers are that they can all score goals.

Tuka normally plays in the midfield and up front while Anoanga and Nathan play in holding midfield and defense positions.