The fourth day of the Faleata District Inter-School Competition between 12 primary schools was held at the Football Federation of Samoa Fields, Tuana'imato Complex yesterday.

Schools had teams competing across boys and girls divisions, split into years 5-6 and 7-8.

Aele, Ah Mu, Aleisa, Lepea, Robert Louis, Saina, Vaigaga, Vailoa, Vaimea, Vaimoso, Vaitele and Vaiusu are playing in the six-day tournament.

Football Federation Samoa (who run the tournament) competitions manager Papali'i Laautuivanu Le Mamea said the main purpose of the tournament is to develop the young kids.

“To develop their skills, and introduce the basic rules.

“Let them know how to defend, how to kick the ball."

Papali'i said some of them have come a long way up to day four of the tournament.

He said the competition is also about increasing the number of players that are in clubs, with the youth league for Upolu kicking off at the end of the month.

“To have fun for the kids, winning is not the main focus for this competition.

“We want to encourage the young generation, age 10-16 to come forward and join us, and we will try and develop your skills."

Papali'i said there is a technical team at the Faleata tournament that are helping out, and observing the best players.

“The best players for the whole competition, they will be selected in our development squad."

That squad will assemble every Saturday, with the development programme starting next week.

Papali'i said for those elite youth players, there would eventually be chances to play in international competitions like the Oceania Football Confederation U16 and U20 tournaments down the line.