The 2023 Junior Primary Schools football tournament was held on Thursday at Takitumu School field after the daylong tournament initially planned for Wednesday at CIFA Field was postponed due to rain.

St Joseph’s Primary School principal Savenaca Tukitoba has acknowledged their girls’ team for winning the B Division title.

Tukitoba said the school fielded three teams – boys and girls B Division teams, and a Mixed C team.

The daylong tournament saw the participation of junior primary school students from grades 4, 5 and 6.

Nine schools in Rarotonga took part in the event with children from Grade 5 and 6 playing in the B Boys, B Girls and B Mix divisions while students from Grade 4 battling in the C Mix division.

Papaaroa, Te Uki Ou, Avarua, Takitumu, Imanuela Akatemia, St Joseph’s, Rutaki, Arorangi and Nikao primary schools were part of the tournament.

Tukitoba said the girls’ team played very well and deserved the win.

The St Joseph’s B Division girls beat Apii Avarua 5-1 in the final.

“We were expecting to come in one of the first three places. We have been preparing well in the last few weeks. The girls were really preparing and trained hard.”

He said most of their training involved the boys and girls teams competing against each other, adding this contributed to the win.

Tukitoba said the final was decided on penalty shootout where their goalkeeper kept a close eye on their opponent Apii Avarua.

He added that the boys team lost in the playoffs against Papaaroa Adventist.

The principal acknowledged Cook Islands Football Association for their football equipment that contributed to their training and the teachers and parents for their support.

Results

Imanuela Akatemia: Mixed B Division and Mixed C division winners, Apii St Joseph’s: B Division Girls – 1^st place, Apii Avarua: B boys division 1st place,

Apii Avarua B girls division – 2nd place, Apii Nikao: C Mix 3rd place and B Boys 3rd place.