It's a wrap: FFLA Summer League successfully ends!

26/6/2019

FundLife International through its flagship programme, Football for Life Academy successfully concluded the 1st ever Football Summer League on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Tacloban City. The final matchday gathered twenty-two (22) teams with an average of 132 footballers playing for their respective divisions.

A total of 7 matches were held in two different venues — Sampaguita Multi-Purpose Community Center and San Isidro Mini-Gym. Summer League was created to provide a child, friendly yet competitive type of environment to the children of Tacloban City and its nearby municipalities (Tacloban, Palo and Tanauan).

It also aims to keep the children active in sports during summer vacation and to promote social inclusion and gender equality. Another important thing, this is also part of the 'psychosocial support through sports' given to the players who are survivors of the onslaught of Typhoon Haiyan and those experiencing stress or depression brought by fast phase kind of environment.

Other objectives of the tournament are to engage children in fun-filled activities and values development sessions to maximize their summer vacation, and provide a training ground for established school-based football/futsal teams into competitive play with a strong emphasis on fair play and discipline. It is also where new teams of the successful Girls Community League (GCL) - Tacloban are given opportunity to enhance their team play for GCL's second iteration that will be happening in the next few months.

Among the twenty two teams, Sagkahan National High School, Sangkay Fc and Sagkahan Central School A bagged the top stop in their respective division during the league. They dominated the games all the way through the top. SNHS scored 27 goals, 6 wins and 1 draw in 7 matches in the Boys League Division while Sangkay FC scored 23 goals, 6 wins and 1 loss in 7matches during the Girls League Division and lastly, Sagkahan Central School CS A scored 16 goals, with no defeat in 5 matches securing the top spot.

“It’s not how you win the game but how you play the game and what you do afterwards like showing sportsmanship, respect to others and other football values that we want our players to embodies. At the end of the league, they are all winners in their respective division who manage to stay and play all throughout the league and mostly especially, how they manage to compete within themselves, " Fritz said, FundLife's Stakeholder Engagement Officer.

Jhon Ray Morante was awarded as the Most Valuable Player in the Boys League Division, Jessica Nengaca in the Girls League Division and Jenrex Semella in the Kids League Division. They were recognized as the Model Player who knows how to step up as a leader and showing a good leadership by doing good example whenever the team is struggling during the match or during developmental sessions that their team attends every after the games. Their influence on other players had been an exemplary towards a better player.

Meanwhile, Sagkahan Central School (BLD), San Isidro (GLD), and Anibong (KLD) snatched the Fair Play Champion in this year’s league who showed strong support organizations advocacy and showing sportsmanship and stayed positive during the league no matter what the result. And, Sagkahan National High School (BLD), San Jose National High School (GLD), and Sagkahan Central School seized the Committed Champion Award. These teams devoted and pledged their time and commitment every matches they had. They exerted effort in coming to the venue despite of the challenges during the league. They may continue to set a good example to others.

And lastly, Frances Rosal (BLD), Marian Lacambra and Jearna Faye Catindoy (GLD), and Kierra Dalut, bagged the Golden Boot Award, these players showed exemplary in playing most especially in leading the scoring during the league matches.

The awarding ceremonies was facilitated by Coach John Paul and assisted by the Arsenal Coaches, Coach Al and Oscar, Kim, Fritz as well as local coaches. It was fun, enjoyable and an opportunity for the players as they were able to showcase their skills, talents and values that players learned and applied during the league brought by FFLA program.

You may check below for the full list of winners and awardees: