Four (4) of American Samoa’s, under 12-years-old, Junior players from the American Samoa Tennis Association (ASTA) will be traveling this week to compete in this year’s International Tennis Federation (ITF) Pacific Oceania Junior Championship (POJC) in Nadi, Fiji from September 10-18. This event marks the long- awaited return of Junior Tennis events in Pacific Oceania since the COVID-19 pandemic.
For American Samoa, it will be the first time we’ve been back in over 5 years. The ASTA Junior team will compete with top 12 and under players from neighboring Pacific Island countries. The players went through a series of match play over the summer months to earn their selection on the team to represent American Samoa.
The ASTA Team members are:
- Aifili Tamasoaalii (11) Pacific Horizons School,
- Toamailelagi Godinet (12) Manumalo Baptist School,
- Alexandria Amoa (11) Pacific Horizons School,
- Joelei Ioane (10) Samoa Baptist School.
Funding support for the team’s travel expenses is from the American Samoa Tennis Association (ASTA), AS National Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Oceania Tennis Federation (OTF). 
The OTF has a longstanding partnership with the local tennis association and has supported tennis development efforts to promote tennis among the youth in the Pacific.
ASTA President, Coach Dave Godinet wishes to acknowledge local sponsors; Bluesky Communications and the Pago Pago Print Shop for their support of this year’s POJC Team. He would also like to recognize the continued support of the AS Department of Education (DOE), AS Parks & Recreation, Carl’s Junior and all the dedicated coaching staff and parents of the summer tennis program for their support in promoting tennis among our youth.
The players will be accompanied by team coach Florence Wasko and team manager Francine Amoa.
All the best in Fiji!
