By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE NMI 10-and-under soccer team will be leaving for Guam this Friday to compete in the Guam Football Association Youth Jamboree soccer tournament this weekend at Harmon Field.
“The kids are very excited. They’ve been practicing a lot and are looking forward to the games on Saturday,” said coach Norman Camacho, who heads the team’s training sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at American Memorial Park field.
The NMI 10-and-under soccer team is composed of Saipan International School’s Jordan Butcher, Mickey Coleman, Kennedy Izuka, Jonrey Gilles and Misaki Cramer, Dandan Elementary School’s Enrico Del Rosario, Mt. Carmel School’s Michah Griffin, Brilliant Star’s Hirai Masami, Saipan Community School’s Jewell Hunter, Garapan Elementary School’s Jehn Joyner, San Vicente Elementary School’s Lester Passion, Calvary’s Masami Sato, Tomas Nishta and Whispering Palms’ Kristina Folta, Phalai Frink, Taylor Knecht and Gabriel Race.
Deleon Guerrero and Cramer are the team’s goal keepers.
NMI is sending two co-ed teams to Guam with Emily Gries handling the 12-and-under squad.
“These are fast and skillful kids. They may have less experience compared to Guam, but they can play at the same level as the kids there,” said Camacho, who will be assisted by Elisa Long.
“I know they will do their best to represent the CNMI well. Win or lose, I want them to have fun, enjoy the game and play as one team,” he added.
Northern Mariana Islands Football Association secretary general Peter Coleman in an email to the Variety said that the Guam tournament will provide a good exposure for the NMI’s young strikers.
“This will expose them to other teams and help them experience playing in football festivals and have some fun travel. The youth players are the future men’s and women’s national team players,” Coleman said.
Coleman added that no winners or losers will be declared in the tournament, as the objective of the meet is to let kids have fun and learn more about the sport.