On June 7, ASBA officially kicked off the 2014 Summer Clinics, (in partnership with the American Samoa Government Department of Parks and Recreation. The schedule for clinics was every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The support from the local community was very positive and several sites were offered for the convenience of families and their children

• West Side: Tafuna High School Gym

Most of the coaching and clinics were conducted by Board Members Milton Taufa’asau, Diehl Langkilde and Paulo Puaauli. However, assisting the coaching staff, as part of a mentoring and leadership program, were the Under 19 athletes. This was done to foster maturity and leadership for the U19 members and we feel it yielded a positive result. They worked very well with the young children showing them the drills and skills, running the clinics and most importantly, it gave them an opportunity to be mentors.

The U19 athletes consisted of the young men and young women’s teams that will represent American Samoa at the upcoming Youth World Championships to be held in Suva Fiji.

 

• Central: Fagaalu Village Courts

Conveniently located in the central area at the Fagaalu Park courts, Coach Sale Iloilo (a long time coach for the Fagaalu All Stars that participated in the Fagaloa Basketball Development League), was able to have daily clinics for approximately 30 young children, mostly boys. He concentrated on the fundamental skills, proper ball handling skills, lay-ups, basic defense and offensive skills, and the value of team/sportsmanship. ASBA supplied him with basketballs (adult and youth sizes) and he was able to bring his players on consecutive Saturdays to play, fellowship and run with the other children.

 

• East Side: Aua Village Courts

Coordinated by Fagaloa Basketball Development League Vice President, Michael Pereira, the Aua East Side had clinics up to three times a week. They were held at the Aua Village courts. We weren’t able to have combined games with the East side due to transportation and the distance. However, we fully supported the clinics and supplied them with basketballs and also the FIBA youth balls.

A primary function of ASBA continues to be to teach the fundamentals of basketball and provide an avenue for organized play. This was accomplished during this six week program.

 

Again, we like to thank the Department of Parks & Recreation for partnering up with the American Samoa Basketball Association in pushing forward the development of basketball for all ages in American Samoa! We look forward to next years clinics!